Topics (6)

Skills (11)

Research experience

  • Oct 2008–
    May 2012
    Teaching: Undergraduate laboratory practicals and leaving cert biology experiments.
    National University of Ireland, Maynooth · Biology
    Ireland (Republic of Ireland) · Maynooth
  • Oct 2008–
    Sep 2012
    Research: Phylogeography of arctic/alpine carnation plants in Ireland
    National University of Ireland, Maynooth · Biology · Molecular Ecology
    Ireland (Republic of Ireland) · Maynooth
    Be the first to introduce the method of HRM analysis into our field with minor improvement through a case study. Also quantitatively assessed how useful it could be in future works within the field.
  • Oct 2003–
    Jun 2006
    Research: Coexistence of cryptic species of pollinating fig wasps
    Beijing Normal University · School of Life Science · Theoretical Ecology
    China · Beijing
    Pioneering in revealing hidden cryptic species of pollinating fig wasps from tropical forests in Southwest China using DNA assays. Theoretically reviewed and discussed how they could coexist without mutual exclusion.
  • Nov 2002–
    May 2003
    Research: Population genetic structures of Scilla scilloides complex in East China
    Yunnan University · School of Life Science · Population genetics
    China · Kunming
    Preliminarily explored the genetic structure of five populations of Scilla scilloides polyploid Complex (Hyacinthaceae) from east China using allozyme/isozyme analysis and interpreted the potential pattern of historical dispersal of the plant.

Education

  • May 2012–
    Jun 2012
    University of Michigan (Online course via Coursera)
    Model thinking
    USA · Ann Arbor
  • Sep 2010
    Tataa Biocenter
    qPCR Data Mining
    Ireland (Republic of Ireland) · Dublin
  • Feb 2010
    Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
    Evolutionary Dynamics
    Netherlands · Groningen
  • Feb 2009
    Universität Salzburg
    Phylogeography course and workshop
    Austria · Salzburg
  • Oct 2008–
    Sep 2012
    National University of Ireland, Maynooth
    Molecular Ecology · PhD
    Ireland (Republic of Ireland) · Maynooth
  • Sep 2003–
    Jun 2006
    Beijing Normal university
    Theoretical and Evolutionary Ecology · Master of Science
    China · Beijing
  • Sep 1999–
    Jun 2003
    Yunnan University
    Biology · Bachelor of Science
    China · Kunming

Awards & achievements

  • Oct 2008
    Scholarship: John & Pat Hume Scholarship

Other

  • Languages
    English, Chinese
  • Scientific Memberships
    Irish Plant Scientists Association

Questions and Answers (8) View all

  • Answer added in Cancer Biology
    19 Do cancer cells switch off their proliferation ability during invasion?
    By Mathieu Derouet · University Health Network
    Xiao-Dong Dang · National University of Ireland, Maynooth
    Very interesting question but no ready answer yet. I guess a cancer cell must keep the ability to proliferate while (if) invading, and it must proacti... [more]
  • Answer added in PCR
    10 I'm building a pcr thermal cycler (DIY), does anybody know if a 0,5ºC ramp rate is acceptable ?
    By Eder China · Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de São Paulo
    Xiao-Dong Dang · National University of Ireland, Maynooth
    As I know, commercialised PCR instruments usually allow you to adjust the ramping speed between 0.5-3.0ºC/s, and in some new types between 0.1-20.0º... [more]

Publications (1) View all

  • Source
    Article: Rapid identification of chloroplast haplotypes using High Resolution Melting analysis.
    Xiao-Dong Dang, Colin T Kelleher, Emma Howard-Williams, Conor V Meade
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: We have evaluated High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis as a method for one-step haplotype identification in phylogeographic analysis. Using two adjoined internal amplicons (c. 360 and 390 bp) at the chloroplast rps16 intron (c. 750 bp) we applied HRM to identify haplotypes in 21 populations of two European arctic-alpine herb species Arenaria ciliata and Arenaria norvegica (Caryophyllaceae). From 446 accessions studied, 20 composite rps16 haplotypes were identified by the melting-curve protocol, 18 of which could be identified uniquely. In a comparative sensitivity analysis with in silico PCR-RFLP, only seven of these 20 haplotypes could be identified uniquely. Observed in vitro experimental HRM profiles were corroborated by in silico HRM analysis generated on uMelt(SM) . In silico mutation analysis carried out on a 360 bp wild-type rps16I amplicon determined that the expected rate of missed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) detection in vitro was similar to existing evaluations of HRM sensitivity, with transversion SNPs being more likely to go undetected compared to transition SNPs. In vitro HRM successfully discriminated between all amplicon templates differing by two or more base changes (352 cases) and between 11 pairs of amplicons where the only difference was a single transition or transversion SNP. Only one pairwise comparison yielded no discernable HRM curve difference between haplotypes, and these samples differed by one transversion (C/G) SNP. HRM analysis represents an untapped resource in phylogeographic analysis, and with appropriate primer design any polymorphic locus is potentially amenable to this single-reaction method for haplotype identification.
    Molecular Ecology Resources 07/2012; 12(5):894-908. · 3.06 Impact Factor

About

Interested in various forms of dynamical systems, where conflict is happening at multiple levels simultaneously. In a system where each member is maximizing their own existence over time or just behaves according to a determined set of rules, what status will the system end up with? Will it fall in a stable state, go periodical, run into chaos, or just show some fantastic but complex patterns? What more complex patterns can we see from systems with hierarchical structures?

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