Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/X010899/1
Direct inference of recombination landscapes from single individuals
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr SH Martin, University of Edinburgh, Sch of Biological Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Edinburgh, Sch of Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Evolutionary genetics
- Genetic variation
- Evolution & populations
- Molecular genetics
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Chromosomal cross-over
- Meiosis
- Recombination
- Recombination
- Abstract:
- Recombination, the mixing of DNA each generation, is the key process at the heart of sexual reproduction. This mixing does not occur evenly across each chromosome. Instead, some genes experience higher recombination rates, which can aid the formation of novel combinations of variants. Other genes experience low recombination rates, and these are more likely to be involved in the establishment of genetic barriers between species. There is much interest in the factors that alter the recombination rate landscape, and how these in turn influence things like adaptation to changing environments. However, these factors are difficult and expensive to study using conventional methods: generating large broods and genotyping hundreds of offspring. In this project, we will develop a method for affordable and rapid quantification of the recombination rate landscape from a single individual. Our method applies specialised genome sequencing approach called chromatin conformation capture or "Hi-C" to pooled sperm (or pollen or egg) cells, to identify crossover points. Specifically, we will (1) Develop an open source python software tool for quantifying the recombination landscape using sperm Hi-C data, and (2) apply our method to butterflies, where we will explore the effect of known chromosome rearrangements on the recombination rate. Our approach will open the door to population-scale comparative studies of the recombination landscape. It will be applicable to all species in which recombination occurs in males, as well as those with large numbers of oocytes, such as frogs and fishes, thereby expanding this research field to encompass species that cannot be reared in a lab. Finally, this work will form the basis of a subsequent application to the Pushing the Frontiers scheme in which we aim to dissect how different types of chromosome structural changes affect the recombination rate.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/X010899/1
- Grant Stage:
- Awaiting Completion
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant FEC
- Grant Status:
- Active
- Programme:
- Exploring the frontiers
This grant award has a total value of £80,621
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £13,711 | £28,931 | £24,601 | £12,360 | £1,017 |
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