David A. Oropesa
Biologist / Zoologist
MY SCIENTIFIC WORKS
FINAL
BACHELOR'S
DEGREE
PROJECT
Endocranial volume estimation from fragmentary cranial remains of Neanderthal fossils
Endocranial volume is closely related to the brain size: it has been proven that during the hominids evolution the cranial capacity has been increasing. The main objective of this work is to design a methodology, based on 3D geometric morphometrics analysis, that is effective for calculating the endocranial volume of two Neanderthal specimens from their occipital bones remains, found in El Sidrón (Asturias). For this, it is necessary to estimate the lost regions of these fragments; process that will be carried out in this work through virtual techniques.
3D geometric morphometrics analysis of variability in the modern humans nasopharynx
Several previous studies have reported the existence of sexual dimorphism in the respiratory system of modern humans, showing differences in size and shape at relative and absolute levels, along the skeletal system and the soft tissue. These differences could be explained by a principle that links size and energy through the functional morphology of the respiratory system. Following this functional approach, the aim of this project is to study this phenomenon in modern Homo sapiens nasopharyngeal soft tissue. We measured 29 individuals (corpses and patients) of both sexes, and the nasopharynx morphology was quantified by landmarks and semilandmarks. Subsequently, throught 3D geometric morphometrics (Procrustes analysis), we have proved the effect of sex and vital condition on size and shape of nasopharynx's structure.
FINAL
MASTER
DEGREE
PROJECT
CONFERENCEPOSTER
XVI - EJIP CONGRESS
3D geometric morphometrics analysis of variability in the modern humans nasopharynx
In this work we showed my final master degree project, but we included some ANOVA analysis wich showed us that we can't found any differences between sexes. Maybe this results is because: On the one hand, the patients sample is small, and on the other hand embalming techniques modify the corpses nasopharynx anatomy.
V Congreso en Novedades en Investigación Zoológica - UCM
Computed Tomography:
an ally of Biology in silico
Biology in silico is an scientific branch wich is carried out with computers, this include from bioinformatics to the study of the morphology of different anatomical structures. A lot of studies are based on the results obtained by computed tomography, because it allows the direct analysis of different biological samples without manipulating or damaging the original specimens, because it is done virtually. This resource has been really successful in different fields such as paleoneurology or physical anthropology, since its implementation avoids the need to directly manipulate the unique and / or delicate material under study to make the relevant data collection.
AUDIOVISUAL
COMMUNICATION
CONFERENCEPOSTER
Young BM 2019 Madrid
Genomic characterization of a novel reovirus detected in a cloacal sample of a Neotropical bird in a remote area
Massive sequencing techniques are helping to expand the known diversity of viruses, especially of poorly studied hosts in remote areas. In this study, a novel reovirus was discovered, through metagenomic analyses, in a cloacal sample of a Neotropical bird from the Nouragues Natural Reserve, in French Guiana. The genome comprises 18,568 bp, and is divided into 6 segments ranging from 1,949 bp to 4,252 bp encoding proteins from 71 KDa to 153 KDa. This novel reovirus could belong to a new genus within the family Reoviridae. Its similarity with the closest reovirus, Cimodo virus (CMDV), is, on average, 31.33%, ranging from 24% in the segment with the lowest similarity to 48% in the one with the highest. Based on this preliminary data, this novel reovirus could be an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes with possible pathogeny in birds.