Final Report Summary - GENOMERGE (Role of genome merger and redundancy in plant evolution and adaptation)
Another aim of this project was to study an important and still underexplored aspect of polyploid evolution, which is the link between polyploid genome dynamics and phenotypic changes that are of ecological and adaptive importance.
More specifically, the role of this study was to decipher how gene and genome duplication led to a novel biochemical pathway in some Spartina species, namely the ability to produce an anti-stress and osmo-protectant molecule. By performing RNAseq, biochemical and enzymatic assays in Spartina species presenting a contrasted ability to produce this molecule, we significantly increased our understanding of this novel biochemical pathway and of its genes involved.
This project was developed in the perspective of permanent integration of the fellow. This goal was successfully attained in 2014 as the fellow obtained a permanent position as Researcher in the team “Biodiversity and Polyploidy” (INRA Rennes) to work on polyploid genome evolution, in collaboration with the host team.