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<strong>MERG</strong> Population diversification and horizontal gene transfer processes in freshwater cyanobacteria: genomic and ecological perspectives Objectives of the project • Study whether the subpopulation structure of cyanobacteria in Lake Steinsfjorden and Lake Kolbotnvannet. • Compare the cyanobacteria genetic and chemotype diversity in different ecological environments. • Investigate the impact of a change in nutrient concentration on the genetic diversity of Planktothrix strains in Lake Gjersjøen. • Study to what extent the frequency of HGT is influenced by biotic factors such as Chytrid (fungal) infection, or abiotic factors (stresses) such as UV- exposure or shaking. Kolbotnvannet Photo: Hanne Ballestad Project summary: The overall goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of cyanobacterial population diversification processes and how horizontal gene transfer, dispersal and selective forces are influencing such processes. The long time goal is to achieve an improved understanding of cyanobacterial population genetics – which in turn should open up for a cyanobacterial species concept, or a rejection of the species concept. In a study of Planktothrix from Lake Kolbotnvannet we utilize the NRPS markers and additional markers to study the chemotype/genotype diversity and the impact of selective pressure on the diversity. Complete genome sequencing by the 454 technology of several Norwegian and German Planktothrix strains is currently in progress. In a comparative study we will look into genetic differences between the genomes and search for answers to what significance the genetic variation has had for the differences in chemotype-diversity between Norwegian and German freshwaters. We will also do a pan/core genome study to reveal the common set of genes in the genus Planktothrix and compare it with those of other cyanobacteria. By utilizing field samples from Lake Gjersjøen from 1964-2008 we will study the historical genotype dynamics and what impact a change in nutrient availability has had for the genetic diversity of Planktothrix chemotypes. We will also look for an answer to what impact the genetic diversity has had for the increased biomass of Anabaena. One hypothesis is that stressors lead to an aggregation and cell lysis and that this may result in a higher frequency of HGT, and consequently in an increased genetic diversity. If our experimental study confirms that infection by chytrids results in an increased frequency of HGT, we may look into what significance higher genotype/chemotype diversity has for cyanobacteria’s resistance against infection by chytrids. The team Hanne Ballestad (PhD), Trine B. Rounge (Post Doc), Ave Tooming-Klunderud (Post Doc), Kjetill S. Jakobsen, Thomas Rohrlack. 20
<strong>MERG</strong> Population genetics and phylogeography of Serpula lacrymans Objectives of the project • Study the phylogeny of Serpula lacrymans and closely related lineages to illuminate the evolutionary origin of Serpula lacrymans. • Study the phylogeography of Serpula lacrymans to unravel from where, when, and how it has spread and colonized the human domain. • Analyze the population genetics of Serpula lacrymans in order to reveal basic biological traits such as reproductive mode, degree of clonality and dispersal capacity. • Study the evolution and spread of mating types within Serpula lacrymans. Project summary The dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans is a severe destroyer of wooden building materials in temperate regions worldwide. It has an outcrossing (heterothallic) reproductive mode and is able to produce and spread an enormous amount of basidiospores. It is also capable of local vegetative colonization by rhizomorphs (i.e. aggregated hyphal structures). Being a widespread aggressive indoor biodeterioration agent, it has only been found a few times in natural environments. It is still not known when the fungus established in buildings, but it was probably in connection with the establishment of more permanent human settlements with wooden constructions, and thus the dry rot fungus probably has a short evolutionary history in indoor habitats. In this project we want to study basic biological traits of S. lacrymans, such as dispersal capacity and reproductive mode, true population genetic analyses. Another aim is to study the evolutionary relationship between S. lacrymans and closely related lineages. We also want to reveal from where and when S. lacrymans spread out and colonized the human domain. The team Inger Skrede (Post Doc), Sarasvati Jacobsen Bjørnaraa (MSc Student), Håvard Kauserud, + external collaborators. 21 The dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans fruiting in a house. Photo: Mycoteam AS
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MERG - Universitetet i Oslo

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