Descrizione del progetto
Comprendere fino a che punto possiamo prevedere l’adattamento convergente
Nonostante il considerevole progresso teorico compiuto nel campo della biologia evolutiva, resta molto da esplorare in materia di convergenza negli organismi multicellulari complessi. Queste conoscenze sono preziose per la comprensione di diversi fenomeni, quali la resistenza agli agenti patogeni, ai pesticidi o all’inquinamento. Il progetto CONstrainCONverge, finanziato dall’UE, esplora i meccanismi evolutivi alla base della prevedibilità nell’evoluzione adattativa. Grazie a una fusione di genomica evolutiva e genetica molecolare, trascrittomica, genomica statistica ed esperimenti funzionali, questa ricerca si propone di gettare luce sulle limitazioni genetiche che interessano l’adattamento convergente ad ambienti particolarmente sollecitati. Il modello di pianta che verrà utilizzato è l’Arabidopsis alpina, una fonte ideale di sperimentazione per via delle sue otto popolazioni evolutesi in modo indipendente.
Obiettivo
Is evolution predictable? In CONstrainCONverge, I aim to understand evolutionary mechanisms governing predictability in adaptive evolution, by asking why some genes are more likely reused by adaptation than others. Despite a rich theoretical background, systematic analysis of the mechanisms underlying convergence is lacking in complex multicellular organisms. That limits application of convergent evolutionary concepts in repeated evolution of socio-economically relevant traits such as resistance to pathogens, pesticides or pollution. To fill in this gap, I will study genetic constraints of convergent adaptation towards stressful alpine environments in plant model genus Arabidopsis. Eight independently evolved populations of alpine Arabidopsis provide a unique model of environmental adaptation, allowing to leverage an unprecedented range of genetic and experimental resources to address fundamental evolutionary questions. During my PhD I characterized this system from a population genomic point of view, preparing a ground for experimental genetic validations. In the outgoing phase, I will bring this experience to the host lab of Prof. Peichel at the University of Bern (UBERN), an expert in the evolutionary genetics of convergence in fishes. Systematic training in the host lab and three international research visits will broaden my bioinformatics and experimental skills. I will learn new multidisciplinary approaches bridging the fields of evolutionary genomics and molecular genetics through the combination of transcriptomics, statistical genomics, and functional experiments. I will return to Charles University (CU) to share the newly gained skills with local researchers and gain further training in functional genetics and transferable skills under the supervision of Prof. Lafon Placette, aiming to improve my teaching and leadership skills and establish my own research group in evolutionary genetics, a virtually non-existent field in Czech research environment.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global FellowshipsCoordinatore
116 36 Praha 1
Cechia