Objective
Sperm cells are the most morphologically diverse animal cells, but how does that diversity arise, and what are its evolutionary consequences? This project investigates the causes and consequences of divergence in sperm morphology between ecotypes in an intertidal snail species, Littorina saxatilis, where it was recently discovered that sperm length has diverged both between ecotypes and among island populations. I will perform transcriptomics on testes to identify sperm-length related genes, gene networks, and their relation to chromosomal inversions in the L. saxatilis genome. This robust technique allows me to determine the developmental origin and genomic causes of the sperm length differentiation. The project further performs experimental mating trials to measure the effect of sperm length per se on fertilization success, addressing a rarely-tested, long-standing assumption that sperm morphological divergence translates into reproductive barriers. Finally, I will build a genetically explicit model of sperm length divergence and its role as a reproductive barrier between populations. This model will allow me to explore how female promiscuity and the genomic architecture of sperm traits impact the long-term evolutionary potential for sperm divergence to occur and be a reproductive barrier. Thus this ambitious project addresses sperm length evolution from several biological disciplines and perspectives, to address the long-standing question of the evolutionary causes and consequences of sperm morphological diversity.
This project also provides me with valuable training that will increase my competitiveness as I apply for faculty positions or for positions as an analyst supporting policy-makers. Specifically, I will learn learn ‘-omics analysis, an important skillset in biology that I currently lack, and a new and powerful programming language useful for big data.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
405 30 Goeteborg
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.