Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00781

Relating DNA sequence diversity to the genetic map of two chromosomes in the plant Arabidopsis lyrata.

Principal Investigator:: Professor D Charlesworth, University of Edinburgh, Inst of Evolutionary Biology
Grant held at:: University of Edinburgh, Inst of Evolutionary Biology

Abstract:: A sparse genetic map has recently been estimated for the plant Arabidopsis lyrata, a species useful for molecular evolutionary and ecological studies because of its close relatedness to A. thaliana. It is important to extend this work to estimate a finer map. I propose to add at least 50 new markers from the A. thaliana chromosome 1, which corresponds to A. lyrata chromosomes 1 and 2. In addition to the long-term benefits of this mapping, which will aid future quantitative genetic and other studies, several results of immediate interest will be generated. First, the work will estimate the extent of chromosome rearrangements between these two important model species, showing whether their genetic maps are homosequential or rearranged, which is currently not known. Second, it will test whether the inbreeding species has evolved greater recombination than the outcrosser. This pair of plant species are ideal for the comparison. Third, the results will show whether genes located near the centromere in A. thaliana also recombine rarely in A. lyrata. The data will allow future tests of the relationship between recombination and DNA sequence diversity, which has not yet been tested in a plant species where genetic map data are available.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £30,731

Total - Staff	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£9,801	£16,422	£4,508

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