Objective
"It is a worldwide, worrisome phenomenon that faunal endemism is threatened by introduced species populating new habitats, a process that is aided by the growing globalization which makes natural dispersal barriers more permeable. One of the most successful invaders of Europe is the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a mammal that severely affects endemic biodiversity while thriving in new environments. The species’ peculiar evolutionary history was primarily facilitated by its ability to quickly adapt. While previous research has provided some knowledge of the ecological and environmental conditions the species has adapted to, we lack crucial understanding of the genetic mechanisms that render such a dramatic expansion possible.
I propose a genetic study utilizing modern, next generation sequencing and DNA capture methods in order to investigate the underlying mechanisms that have facilitated adaptive processes in raccoon dogs. More specifically, by means of sequencing the complete transcriptomes I will determine candidate loci selection has acted upon, investigate population specific patterns of alternative splicing and lastly infer genes that are differentially expressed. In a second phase of the project I will employ targeted DNA capture on a population wide sampling of European raccoon dogs to assess allele frequency spectra of all candidate loci showing signatures of selection. In combination with additional neutral loci and the implementation of spatially explicit modeling I will develop an evolutionary model depicting how adaptive variants are spread and maintained in a changing environment. By synergizing novel molecular technologies with sophisticated modeling approaches the study pioneers the field of wildlife population genomics and will provide new, valuable insights into the biology of invasions. Moreover, the project’s scientific potential coupled with the competencies at the Turku University will help to further advance in my academic career."
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 genetics DNA
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science domestic animals
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- 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-2011-IEF
See other projects for this call
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
20014 Turku
Finland
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.