Objective The success of the Genome Projects carried out on a handful of model organisms has anticipated the extreme value of genomic comparative analyses as a way to unveil many functions and properties of these genomes. These analyses, anchored on an evolutionary framework, have the potential to explain the value of observed genomic differences in phenotype changes, with implications in research areas from biodiversity and speciation to health issues. However, given the unfeasibility to accomplish full genome studies in most or a good representation of life forms, alternative short-cut strategies have to be devised to grant access to genomic information of a wide variety of organisms and to assess the impact of their differences.In this project, we propose the combined use of a PCR-based approach and Molecular Cytogenetics techniques (including FISH, M-FISH and Zoo-FISH), coupled with the ability to isolate specific chromosomes using laser micro-dissection techniques, to generate high-resolution physical chromosome maps of selected organisms using genetic landmarks provided by cDNA libraries. These physical maps will be analysed comparatively to trace genomic structural changes over evolutionary periods. We will implement this methodology in the study of speciation and diversification processes in leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) focusing in the analysis of the genomic changes affecting chromosome structure at three different levels:- role and constraints of hybridisation as a mechanism for speciation,- chromosomal changes accompanying a species radiation, and,- analysis of chromosome synteny in phytophagous Coleoptera. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Keywords Coleoptera FISH Zoo chromosome evolution comparative analyses in situ hybridisation probe design Programme(s) FP6-MOBILITY - Human resources and Mobility in the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration "Structuring the European Research Area" under the Sixth Framework Programme 2002-2006 Topic(s) MOBILITY-4.1 - Marie Curie European Reintegration Grants (ERG) Call for proposal FP6-2002-MOBILITY-11 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships Coordinator UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA EU contribution No data Address Avda. Teniente Flomesta 5 MURCIA Spain See on map Total cost No data
