Abstract
Recent multigene phylogenies have strikingly improved our understanding of the evolution of eukaryotes and allowed the definition of several major assemblages. Among them, Amoebozoa are a group of key importance because they might be closest to the root of the eukaryotic tree. However, available molecular data on this group are still very scarce, despite the huge ecological and morphological diversity of lobose amoebae. In this project, we are using a PCR approach to obtain new molecular data on Amoebozoa. We want to address three fundamental evolutionary questions: (i) What is the phylogenetic position of the various amoebozoan lineages? (ii) Are Amoebozoa monophyletic? (iii) What are the evolutionary relationships among lobose amoebae? To answer these questions, we are using in parallel a multigene phylogeny approach, and the search for derived genetic characters, such as insertions or deletions in conserved regions of genes, as well as events of gene duplications, fusions or losses.
Other information
The seminar is part of a Mini-symposium on "Evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and phylogenetic relationships among supergroups".
The CEES seminar room has a coffee-machine – it is therefore recommended that you come a bit earlier and get yourself a good cup of coffee (for the price of 3 NOK).