Project description
Life cycles and the evolution of recombination
Current understanding of meiotic recombination is based on diploid model species, leaving a knowledge gap about how different life cycle architectures influence genome evolution. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RHO project investigates how alternation between haploid and diploid life stages shapes recombination patterns in brown algae, a group with exceptional diversity in life cycles. It combines population genomics, comparative analyses and evolutionary modelling to generate the first high-resolution recombination maps in key species. It will build theoretical models predicting how life cycle structure influences recombination dynamics and selection. Ultimately, the project will open new perspectives on how life cycles shape genome evolution.
Objective
The RHO project represents a pivotal step in Dr. Cécile Molinier’s career, providing the essential training and interdisciplinary expertise needed to establish herself as an independent researcher in evolutionary genomics. Meiotic recombination is a key process shaping genome evolution, yet our current understanding is heavily biased toward diploid model species, leaving a critical gap regarding how life cycle architecture, particularly the alternation between multicellular haploid and diploid phases, influences recombination landscapes. Brown algae, with their exceptional diversity of haploid-diploid strategies and unique genomic architecture, provide an unprecedented opportunity to address this knowledge gap.
This ambitious project combines population genomics, comparative analyses, and evolutionary modeling to: (RO1) produce the first high-resolution recombination maps and hotspot catalogues for key brown algal species; (RO2) explore how life cycle complexity and genome architecture shape the conservation and turnover of recombination landscapes across evolutionary timescales; and (RO3) develop theoretical models and simulations predicting how haploid versus diploid phase durations influence recombination dynamics and background selection.
The fellowship offers synergistic training: hosted at ECOBIO (University of Rennes) under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Glémin, a leading expert in population genetics, and complemented by an associated partnership with Dr. Laurent Duret at LBBE, Lyon, a pioneer in recombination genomics. This combination provides unique and complementary expertise, allowing the fellow to acquire advanced skills in comparative genomics, fine-scale recombination mapping, and evolutionary modeling. By integrating new competencies with her existing expertise, the fellow will be ideally positioned to develop an innovative and independent research program on the interplay between life-cycle evolution, recombination dynamics, and genome stability.
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 microbiology phycology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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75794 Paris
France
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