Objective
Recombination often ceases over large regions of sex chromosomes and mating-type chromosomes, preventing the purging of deleterious mutations. Such recombination suppression leads to genomic degeneration, with gene losses and suboptimal gene expression, potentially contributing to phenomena like the reduced lifespan of XY males in many species. However, little is known about the dynamics of degeneration following recombination suppression and its impact on fitness, especially in the early stages. Here, I will investigate the genomic consequences of recombination suppression on fungal mating-type chromosomes, focusing on the temporal dynamics of gene loss, gene expression dysregulation, and their impact on fitness. My team has assembled a unique dataset of high-quality genomes from 36 closely related fungal species, revealing 45 independent recombination suppression events over the past 0.05 to 15 million years. This exceptional system allows unprecedented resolution to track early-stage degeneration, including gene loss, expression decay, and genomic rearrangements. Elucidating the dynamics of degeneration inform on the underlying evolutionary processes. I will also assess potential mitigating mechanisms, such as dosage compensation and gene gains, whose prevalence and evolutionary dynamics remain debated. The use of fungi enables testing the generality of patterns described in animals and plants, while their experimental tractability permits direct assessment of fitness effects. By comparing the timing and dynamics of degeneration and mitigation mechanisms, this project will help discriminate between competing evolutionary hypotheses explaining the persistence of non-recombining regions, both on the short and long term. Ultimately, it will provide novel insights into fundamental evolutionary processes of genome degeneration and its impact on fitness.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-ADG
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75794 Paris
France
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