Presenter: Professor Jennifer A. Marshall Graves (Research School of Biological Sciences, ANU College of Science, The Australian National University)

Venue: Target Theatre, The Powerhouse Museum, SYDNEY

Time: Friday 24 August, 5.30pm - 6.30pm (refreshments served from 5pm)

Whether a baby develops as a boy or girl depends on a single gene on the Y chromosome. In humans and other mammals, females have two X chromosomes, but males have a single X and a Y that bears the testis-determining gene (SRY) that masculinizes the embryo. The human X is a middle-sized, ordinary chromosome, though it is rich in genes involved in reproduction and intelligence (often both). But the tiny Y is a genetic wasteland –full of genetic junk and bearing only 45 genes, most active only in testis. How did human sex chromosomes get to be so weird?

We compare the chromosomes, genes and DNA in distantly related mammals and even birds and reptiles. The genomes of Australia’s unique kangaroos and platypus, now being completely sequenced, are a goldmine of new information. Kangaroo sex chromosomes reveal the original mammal sex chromosomes, while the bizarre platypus sex chromosomes (more related to those of birds) tell us that our sex chromosomes are relatively young. The human X and Y evolved from an ordinary chromosome pair as the Y degraded progressively. The Y is predicted to disappear in just 7 million years. If we don’t become extinct, new sex determining genes and chromosomes will evolve, maybe leading to the evolution of new hominid species.

Presenter: Professor Aidan Byrne (Department of Physics, ANU College of Science, The Australian National University)

Venue: Target Theatre, The Powerhouse Museum, SYDNEY

Time: Friday 24 August, 8pm – 9pm

The world is beginning to recognise that there is not a single, simple solution to meeting the energy demand of our modern society. All available options have their advantages and disadvantages and there is now an acceptance that simply burning fossil fuels may pose a significant threat to society. The nuclear option has re-emerged after two decades in obscurity and it is being proposed as a potential “clean” energy source. The talk will examine the reason for the renewed interest in nuclear and examine whether it has a place as one of the future energy options.

Sydney venue & parking details

The Target Theatre, Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
T: 02 9217 0111

Parking

Discount parking is available to Powerhouse visitors at the Entertainment Centre Car Park. Bring your car park ticket to the admissions counter in the Museum for validation to receive the discount when you pay at the carpark.

How to get to the museum

• Trains run from Central Station to Sydney Terminal
• Broadway bus station to Railway Square
• The closest Monorail stop is Paddy's Markets Monorail Station