Thomas Hitchcock

Oct 25, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Thomas Hitchcock |Robert Baird |Andy Gardner |Laura Ross

AbstractSex chromosomes differ from autosomes in both their ploidy and transmission genetics. Consequently, selection, mutation, and drift may act differently upon them, driving distinct patterns in genetic divergence, diversity, and gene content. Recently, researchers have begun to consider a wider set of organisms with non-standard inheritance and sex-determination systems, however in many cases we lack theory which extends to such cases.

Jul 24, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Thomas Hitchcock

AbstractChimerism spans the tree of life, from mammals and corals to plants and fungi. In such organisms, individuals contain within them cells and genomes from another once distinct member of the population. This chimeric genetic composition may subsequently alter patterns of relatedness not only within those individuals, but also between them. Consequently, we may expect unique patterns of social behaviour in such species.

Apr 6, 2024 | biorxiv.org | Thomas Hitchcock

AbstractMany organisms can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Many such groups also exhibit ploidy differences between males and females during the sexual phase of their life, including aphids, nematodes, wasps, and rotifers. The constraints of combining asexual reproduction with asymmetric ploidy often results in X chromosomes (or haplodiploids) which show distinct transmission genetics from conventional systems.

Feb 2, 2024 | thepmfajournal.com | Thomas Hitchcock

Advances in technology have allowed scientists to expand their understanding of the complex interactions that occur between humans and the microbes that reside on and inside their bodies. However, these same advances present a challenge to scientists and clinicians to reinterpret some of the learnings gleaned through research performed in decades past.

Sep 8, 2023 | skininc.com | Thomas Hitchcock

Beauty trends come and go, and many companies are attempting to hop on the biome bandwagon with consumer demand rising. But, when it comes to the skin biome (the skin ecosystem, including the skin microbiome), there is a lot of noise out there that can be confusing or even misleading. Legitimate skin-relevant probiotic strains of bacteria are worth the hype, despite the many persistent misconceptions and skin care myths.