Project description
A new framework using identity-by-descent genomic information
The world’s vertebrate populations – all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish – are declining. Increase in disease emergence and levels of poverty are among the many impacts that are threatening a sustainable economy worldwide. Genomics approaches provide a framework to quantify the health status of species. However, such approaches typically have not considered the social groups, the fundamental units in which many species are organised, live and reproduce. In this context, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project GINS will develop a new framework using identity-by-descent genomic information to infer socioecological parameters such as group sizes and migration rates. The focus will be samples of mouse lemurs in Madagascar. Project research will ultimately contribute to conservation genomics and specifically to lemur conservation.
Objective
The habitats of most vertebrates are disappearing at an increasing rate with major consequences for their survival and that of humans. Increase in disease emergence and levels of poverty are two of its many impacts, which pose a threat to a sustainable economy worldwide. Monitoring and managing species is essential to restore a sustainable use of resources. Genomics approaches provide a framework to quantify the health status of species using genetic diversity, inbreeding and demographic history. However, such approaches have been widely ignoring a defining aspect of many threatened species – social groups, the fundamental units in which many species are organised, live and reproduce. Through this MSCA-IF, I will develop a new framework using identity-by-descent genomic information to infer socioecological parameters, e.g. group sizes and migration rates - essential for the survival of species. Taking advantage of new readily available samples of mouse lemurs, this action will provide direct input to Madagascar, serving as a model to evaluate recent past anthropogenic actions and, more vitally, preview the impact of ongioing changes on the socioecology of species, under alternative land-use scenarios. This will be a general framework to study the social structure of many other species faced with similar environmental challenges across the globe. The rising public awareness of ecological changes makes it an ideal time to share knowledge on biodiversity, and I will strongly invest in outreach activities. This action provides a unique opportunity for me to learn an essential set of skills on high level statistical genomic methods and non-model organisms’ genomics analysis, coupled with cultivating an extensive new network of expert collaborations. Through this action, I believe I will contribute to conservation genomics and specifically to lemur conservation while gaining invaluable assets for my career development as an independent researcher.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
1165 Kobenhavn
Denmark