Objective
Understanding sex chromosome evolution is crucial in evolutionary biology. In eukaryotes with separate sexes, sex determination often involves heteromorphic sex chromosomes that have diverged after recombination arrest. The Y(/W) chromosome loses protein-coding genes over time, causing gene dosage imbalance between sexes and Dosage Compensation (DC) mechanisms' evolution. The first steps of DC evolution are still unclear. Recent theoretical work suggests a gradual coevolution of X(/Z)-upregulation and Y(/W)-downregulation through cis-regulators divergence. In agreement, positive selection on Y-cis regulators drives Y-downregulation in stickleback. Yet, while it loses genes, the Y(/W) chromosome also accumulates Transposable Elements (TEs). This accumulation is generally considered as a source of deleterious mutations contributing to Y(/W) degeneration, however it could also actively contribute to the silencing of Y-linked genes, as the silencing mechanisms controlling TEs proliferation can spread to nearby genes. So far, this dual role of TEs has not been fully appreciated. The proposed project will fill this knowledge gap by examining three pairs of ant-cricket neo-sex chromosomes undergoing regulatory evolution. I will assess TE dynamics, its impact on cis-regulators chromatin structure and gene expression, and especially if TEs actively silence Y-protein accumulating deleterious mutations. This project will use a multi-disciplinary approach that combines comparative genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, and population genetics and portray sex chromosome regulatory evolution with an unprecedented level of detail. I will acquire new skills in epigenetics, deepen my knowledge of theoretical population genetics, and improve my management and writing skills. In exchange, I will share my expertise in bioinformatics and TEs, as well as my knowledge of a promising new biological model, which will certainly spark new research ideas and collaborations.
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 evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics epigenetics
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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)
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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
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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.