EVOGENE Seminar: New Faces at Evogene

Yuri van Ekelenburg "The role of small RNA in genomic imprinting and plant fertilization"

Anne Greulich "Cross-generational analysis of short tandem repeat variation in the A.thaliana and G. morhua genome"

Chiara Di Luca - "Mechanisms and drivers of antimicrobial resistance"

Marie Leys - "Phylogeography and evolutionary history of a widespread endophytic fungus of Norway spruce (Lophodermium piceae)"

Lab Manager Chiara Di Luca: Mechanisms and drivers of antimicrobial resistance

Abstract: During my PhD and postdoc, I studied evolutionary processes that affected the acquisition, persistence, and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance genes may be acquired and transferred via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, insertion sequences, integrons, transposons, and bacteriophages. I investigated how horizontal gene transfer and recombination shaped species diversity and altered virulence and antibiotic resistance, contributing to the emergence and circulation of epidemically successful pathogen clones. I then focused on the mechanisms underlying multidrug-resistant plasmid transmission and stability involved in the dissemination of clinically relevant resistant determinants.  

Post Doc Marie Leys: Phylogeography and evolutionary history of a widespread endophytic fungus of Norway spruce (Lophodermium piceae)

Abstract: Fungal endophytes live within plant tissues without apparent symptoms to the host plant. There is increasing evidence that these plant fungal symbionts mediate interactions with pathogens and herbivores with significant impacts on host productivity, community structure and ecosystem properties. In Norway spruce, Lophodermium piceae is a very frequent fungal endophyte infecting more than 50% of the needles. While L. piceae isolates that infect a single needle exhibit high levels of genetic diversity, little is known about its demographic history and evolutionary interaction with its host, Picea abies. Within the iGran project, I will perform a phylogeographic analysis of European populations of this fungus using Restriction site-associated DNA Sequencing data to elucidate the evolutionary history of L. piceae. I will present the study research questions, hypotheses and methods that will be used to answer these questions.

PhD Student Anne Greulich: Cross-generational analysis of short tandem repeat variation in the A.thaliana and G. morhua genome

Abstract: I will introduce myself and talk about my PhD project. The main aim of my project is to show if and how short tandem repeat variation helps A. thaliana and G. morhua adapt to the environment. A major goal is to compare repeat variation over several generations for both species to see if there are any changes that improve fitness. Candidate genes that show a repeat length variation over generations will then be used for functional studies. The project is divided into several sub-projects, which I will explain in more detail during the talk.

PhD Student Yuri van Ekelenburg: The role of small RNA in genomic imprinting and plant fertilization

Abstract: I will briefly talk about my background and what my interests are. Then I will specify the general scope of my PhD project with the title: ‘The role of small RNA in genomic imprinting and plant fertilization’. My PhD focuses on how small RNA regulates genomic imprinting and if and how they are involved in the formation of hybrid barriers between species. Finally, I will describe in more detail in what sub projects my PhD has been divided.

Published Feb. 6, 2018 9:26 AM - Last modified Feb. 14, 2018 4:00 PM