Project description DEENESFRITPL Genetic variation and genome evolution Recent advances in sequencing technology, computation and theory make possible an analysis of whole haploid genomes on a large scale. The EU-funded HaplotypeStructure project aims to develop a theoretical analysis of genetic variation spread over continuous linear genomes. The project will be developed using empirical data from artificial selection experiments and an in-depth study of a hybrid zone in Antirrhinum plants. The HaplotypeStructure results will open new horizons for population genomics, expanding it beyond the current focus on individual loci. The project will develop better tools for DNA sequence data analysis and provide a deeper understanding of genome evolution. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective An organism's phenotype depends on a multitude of genetic variants, spread over a linear genome. This is widely understood, and yet in practice, has hardly been incorporated into population genetic analysis. Recent developments in theory, computation, and sequencing technology now make it possible to obtain and analyse whole haploid genomes on a large scale. This proposal is to develop and apply a theoretical analysis of genetic variation that is spread over continuous linear genomes. Theory and methods will be developed in close interaction with empirical data from artificial selection experiments and from an intensely studied hybrid zone in Antirrhinum; for both, we have a known pedigree, and phased whole-genome sequence. Population structure will be analysed by following blocks of genome through pedigrees, and across two-dimensional landscapes. Selection on discrete loci will be analysed by finding its effect on surrounding haplotypes, by analysing how favoured alleles become disentangled from heterogeneous backgrounds, and by seeing how haplotype blocks flow past selected clines. The contribution of variants that are spread across the genome to GWA, to selection response, and to hybrid zones will be modelled, and the overall effect of inherited fitness variance on haplotype structure will be determined. This work will establish a new framework for population genomics that goes beyond the current focus on individual loci. It will help bridge the distinct communities within genomics, quantitative genetics, and population genetics, which currently tackle these problems largely in isolation. The project will develop better tools for inferring selection and population structure from DNA sequence data, and more fundamentally, will give us a deeper understanding of how the abundant variation that is carried on linear genomes is shaped by evolution. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2021-ADG - ERC ADVANCED GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2021-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based Host institution INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA Net EU contribution € 2 499 851,00 Address Am Campus 1 3400 Klosterneuburg Austria See on map Region Ostösterreich Niederösterreich Wiener Umland/Nordteil Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 499 851,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA Austria Net EU contribution € 2 499 851,00 Address Am Campus 1 3400 Klosterneuburg See on map Region Ostösterreich Niederösterreich Wiener Umland/Nordteil Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 2 499 851,00
