Project description
Untangling the reasons why some genes do not tangle
Lots of things can happen when two molecules of DNA exchange pieces of their genetic material. It is how sexually reproduced offspring inherent unique traits from their parents and how organisms evolve in response to external changes. It can also play a role in creation (or elimination) of 'supergenes', clusters of genes affecting the same trait and inherited as a single unit – sex chromosomes are the ultimate example. Suppressed recombination is the source of sex chromosome evolution and many questions remain regarding cause and effect. EvolSexChrom plans to untangle various theories using a combination of mathematical models and experimental methods. Insight could have broad-reaching implications for evolution, sexual differentiation and supergenes in numerous organisms.
Objective
The sex chromosomes of plants and animals often contain large non-recombining regions due to a stepwise cessation of recombination generating “evolutionary strata” of genetic differentiation. The reasons for the extension of recombination suppression beyond sex-determining genes remain unclear. Sexual antagonism, involving the linkage to sex-determining genes of alleles beneficial in only one sex, is the prevailing hypothesis, as this explanation is both theoretically plausible and attractive. However, decades of research have unearthed little evidence to support this hypothesis. Furthermore, I have shown that chromosomes involved in sexual compatibility in systems lacking male and female functions can nevertheless display a stepwise suppression of recombination beyond mating-compatibility genes. Thus, evolutionary strata can evolve without sexual antagonism. Alternative hypotheses, such as neutral rearrangements, epigenetic changes associated with transposable elements and the sheltering of deleterious alleles accumulating near non-recombining regions, must thus be seriously considered. I propose to use a synergic combination of different approaches and biological systems to refine and test these hypotheses, to broaden the theory of sex-related chromosome evolution, and, more generally, of the evolution of supergenes (linked allelic combinations). I will use mathematical modeling to test hypothesis plausibility and generate predictions. I will use comparative and population genomic approaches to test predictions, and an innovative experimental evolution approach with functional manipulations to assess the ability of the proposed mechanisms to generate strata. The EvolSexChrom project will challenge the current theory, opening up new avenues of research and potentially creating a paradigm shift in the dynamic research field focusing on the evolution of sex-related chromosomes and other supergenes, relevant to diverse traits and organisms.
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.
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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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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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) ERC-2018-ADG
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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.