Objective
Understanding how genes and the environment affect animal fitness is a central challenge in current evolutionary biology. Therefore, I propose a study to identify genes with strong effects on fitness in a wild bird population. To achieve this, I will make use of the unique opportunity offered by a study species with strong fitness differences between genetically distinct morphs and a recently developed sequencing technique which is the first to make such a study feasible.
Restriction site associated DNA (RAD)-tags allow scanning previously unsequenced genomes and are expected to yield several thousand single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genome of the study species, the Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. This medium-sized raptor occurs in three colour morphs, which have been shown to differ in lifetime reproductive success in a 22-year study. Blood samples and phenotypic measurements have been collected from >1200 chicks over a nine-year period. Morph, reproductive success, survival, and other fitness-related traits such as body condition, fledgling date, and parasite infestation will be tested for association with individual alleles and genetic variability to identify genetic regions in disequilibrium with fitness-relevant genes. To identify candidate genes, marker regions will be searched for known genes, using the chicken genome as a reference.
In addition, the genetic basis for a first phenotypic candidate trait, immunity, will be tested. MHC class II genes will be sequenced by using a new approach based on 454 sequencing with carefully controlled accuracy tests. Individual alleles and variability will be tested for correlations with parasite infestation, recruitment and other fitness-related traits.
In the course of this study, I will acquire state-of-the-art, highly versatile molecular techniques and be able to improve complementary skills required to lead my own research group.
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 zoology ornithology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics nucleotides
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.
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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF
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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.
Coordinator
33615 BIELEFELD
Germany
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.