The role of temperature in the origin and evolutionary success of Arabidopsis polyploids

• Applicant: Dr. Polina Novikova, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi ; General Genetics and Functional Genome Biology ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 490698526

Whole-genome duplication (WGD) is a ubiquitous macromutation affecting diversification,adaptation, and agriculture. WGD is globally associated with low temperatures, yet it remains to be tested if cold environments trigger polyploid formation or rather provide an opportunity for polyploid range expansion and adaptation. Leveraging four natural WGD transitions in leading plant model Arabidopsis, we will address these two hypotheses in a natural context. By combining our Eurasia-wide sampling with manipulative experiments we will test the effect of ambient temperature on the rates of neopolyploid formation across all lineages. Then, we will integrate experiments with population genomic modelling to test if adaptation to cold environments contributes to polyploid success. Such an interdisciplinary proposal will benefit from complementary expertise of both teams in experiments, karyology, short- and linked-read genomics. Our results will inform on the role of macromutations in adaptation to environmental challenges and, in turn, the effect of harsh environments on the rates of macromutations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Czech Republic
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Filip Kolar