Using green algae to unravel the origins of genome architecture

利用绿藻揭示基因组结构的起源

• 批准号: 435173-2013
• 负责人: Smith, David
• 金额: $ 2.99万
• 依托单位: University of Western Ontario
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=695140
• 关键词: Using; green; algae; unravel; origins

Genetic sequence data from across the tree of life have revealed a huge variation in genome architecture, but the forces responsible for this variation are poorly understood. Among the most diverse and eccentric genomes in the biological world belong to microbial eukaryotes (protists). In the past five years, I have made significant contributions to the study of eukaryotic and protist genome evolution, publishing 21 peer-reviewed articles and giving 10 conference presentations and invited seminars on the subject. Over the next five years, my proposed research program will focus on plastid-containing protists (algae), with emphasis on green algae, including species of medical and industrial importance, and taxa that have lost photosynthetic capabilities. Using bioinformatic and wet-lab techniques, we will characterize "extreme" genomes within key green algal lineages, explore the underlying genetic diversity within and between the populations that harbour these genomes, and use these data to test contemporary hypotheses and develop new theories on genome evolution. The overarching theme of the proposed work is: How do non-adaptive vs adaptive forces influence genome size and structure? By employing algae that span major transitions in evolution (e.g., unicellular vs multicellular; asexual vs sexual; photosynthetic vs non-photosynthetic; free-living vs parasitic), we hope to understand how genome architecture and genetic diversity are linked to broader life traits. For instance: What are the genomic consequences of losing photosynthetic capabilities? And, do non-adaptive changes to genome structure provide the template for the types of adaptive evolution that can lead to multicellularity? Given the importance of algae to industry and the environment, and the intimate connection between genome structure and how genetic information is inherited and expressed, the results from this research program could have wide-reaching implications for many disciplines within the life sciences. This work will also help in the training and development of approximately five graduate and fifteen undergraduate students.

来自整个生命之树的基因序列数据揭示了基因组结构的巨大变化，但导致这种变化的力量却知之甚少。生物世界中最多样化和最古怪的基因组属于微生物真核生物（原生生物）。在过去的五年中，我对真核生物和原生生物基因组进化的研究做出了重大贡献，发表了21篇同行评审的文章，并就该主题发表了10次会议演讲和邀请研讨会。