Project description
Studying the ancestry of South America’s first settlers
Accurate methods to reconstruct ancestral haplotypes in bottlenecked populations are lacking. Understanding the origins of high-frequency deleterious variants is crucial for addressing the higher rates of genetic diseases in these populations and improving genetic counselling and public health efforts. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MINERVA project will develop computational methods to determine the minimal number of individuals needed to explain genetic diversity in populations that have experienced significant bottlenecks. By leveraging non-recombining genomic regions, the Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA, the project will enable accurate autosomal haplotype reconstructions. This research will focus on South America, engaging with the Inga community, to uncover the genetic ancestry of the continent’s first settlers.
Objective
In this project, MINERVA (Minimal Individual for Explaining Root Variation in Ancestry), I will craft novel computational methods to infer the minimal number of individuals required to explain the genetic diversity in populations that underwent severe bottlenecks. Through a scalable algorithmic framework, MINERVA will enable accurate autosomal haplotype reconstructions. We will leverage non-recombining genome regions, the Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA, inherited paternally and maternally, respectively. This will be reconciled with the autosomal phylogenies to provide a complete view of population dynamics across recombining and non-recombining genomic regions. With a new dataset from South America, this project will illuminate the genetic ancestry of the continent’s first settlers. While initially focusing on South America, MINERVA will be applicable to other bottlenecked populations, such as those in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Sardinia.
Currently, no accurate methods exist for reconstructing ancestral haplotypes in bottlenecked populations, which is essential for determining whether high-frequency deleterious variants are inherited from ancestral haplotypes, arose through selection, are de novo mutations, or were introduced through admixture. This research will advance our understanding of population-specific genetic variation and improve the accuracy of genome-wide association studies and polygenic risk scores. Bottlenecked populations often have higher rates of genetic diseases, and our work will offer critical insights into their origins and transmission, with implications for genetic counseling and public health.
During a secondment, I will collaborate with the Wuasikamas organization in southern Colombia to ensure cultural relevance. By engaging with the Inga community, I will present findings and foster a reciprocal exchange of knowledge, ensuring the research respects and benefits the communities involved.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biological morphology comparative morphology
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.