MERG - Universitetet i Oslo

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<strong>MERG</strong> Origin of animals and plants Objectives of the project • Resolve the phylogeny of choanozoa by multi-gene phylogenies • Mapping the change of genes involved in cell signalling and cell adhesion on the Choanozoa and early animal phylogeny • Reveal the earliest occurrence of DAK1 among the plant lineage • Functional characterization of DAK1 domains in algae and early plant lineages. • Data-mining and detection of different types of kinases among the Choanozoa. Project summary Transition from unicellular to the multicellular eukaryotes have occurred multiple times from different ancestors, and given rise to plants, animals, fungi, some multicellular amoeba forms, some red and brown algae as well as few other groups. The molecular basis for the all these transitions and the formation of the various body plans have likely involved very different components; for instance the genes involved in embyogenesis of animals seem not to have been central in formation of multicellular plants. In this project we investigate the origin and evolution of animals and plants by phylogenomic analyses. Our approach is to use phylogeny of the opisthokonts (animals, fungi and Choanozoa) and Viridiplantae (plants and green algae) as a frame for mapping genetic and genomic changes of key components for cell adhesion and cell signaling. The two projects on animals and plants were initiated separately and involves different scientists, but a major goal is to compare the evolutionary processes that lead to multicellularity in these two lineages. The Team Marianne Minge, Marit Espelund, Kjetill S. Jakobsen, Ruiz Inaki, Thomas Cavalier-Smith, Odd-Arne Olsen, Rob Wilson, Kamran Shalchian-Tabrizi 18 From left: Reticulomyxa Filosa Photo: José Fahrni, Five group of Eukaryotic organsims Illustrasjon: Fabian Burki
<strong>MERG</strong> Phylogenomic and single cell whole genome amplification of Radiolaria Objectives of the project • Develop and optimize genome-sequencing methods for unculturable unicellular protists. • Partially sequence the genome and cDNA sequences from three radiolarian species in order to provide suitable data for: Investigation of the phylogenetic placement of Radiolaria by using multigene data (phylogenomics), and, Identification of sequence markers appropriate for species phylogeny and detection of cryptic species diversity. • Study the species phylogeny and cryptic diversity of radiolarian lineages by the use of a phylogenetic species concept and compare the molecular phylogeny with the current morphology-based systematics of the group. • Investigate symbionts and parasites associated with the radiolarian cells by using the developed molecular methods Callimitra carolotae, Lamprocyclas maritalis, mitrocalpis_araneafera, nephrospyris_knutheieri, Lamprocyclas maritalis. Photo: Kjell Bjørklund Project summary A major goal of the project is to develop methods for genomic investigations of unculturable unicellular eukaryotes, which comprise the vast majority of the species. A method known as single cell whole genome amplification (SCWGA) can provide enough DNA template for multiple downstream analyses. The method has not been widely applied on protists and there is therefore a great need for optimization and development. SCWGA will be coupled with the latest upgrade of the 454-pyrosequencing technology. Using these techniques we will study a group of unicellular eukaryotes (protists), Radiolaria, which like most other microorganisms, are notoriously difficult to grow in culture and are therefore virtually nothing is known about their genomes, ecology and species diversity. Hence this project will generate knowledge about both advanced molecular methods, applicable for any type of microorganism, and fundamental knowledge about a very much enigmatic lineage of eukaryotes. The coupling of SCWGA and 454-pyrosequencing will allow: - Investigation of the gene and genome organization of at least partial genomes of radiolarians. - Reconstruction of the genome evolution of members of the eukaryotic supergroup SAR (includes Radiolaria) as several species in SAR have been, or currently are being, genome sequenced. - Rigorous phylogenetic investigation of Radiolaria using a multigene approach (phylogenomics). - Identification of proper markers for population genetics and across-species studies. - Identification and characterization of associated symbionts or parasites. The team Jon Bråte (PhD), Anders Krabberød (PhD), Jane Dolven, Tom Kristensen, Randi Ose, Kjell Bjørklund, Dag Klaveness, Kamran Shalchian-Tabrizi 19
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Page 19 and 20: MERG Ectomycorrhiza on Salix repens
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MERG - Universitetet i Oslo

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