Project (Nico Posnien)

We study the evolutionary impact of gene and genome duplication in arthropods. Gene duplications are major drivers of evolutionary innovation, but their consequences vary significantly across lineages like insects and spiders, providing a powerful comparative framework to study the genomic and phenotypic impact of duplication events. This computational project will leverage a unique, large-scale dataset of 233 high-quality arthropod genomes to…:
1) classify different types of duplication events and determine their impact on genome architecture and gene function.
2) integrate multi-omics data (bulk-RNAseq, scRNAseq, long-read RNAseq, ATAC-seq) to explore how duplicated genes diverge in their protein sequences and expression patterns.
3) study the molecular mechanisms driving this diversification, such as interlocus gene conversion, alternative splicing and the role of transposable elements in creating novel exons and divergence in gene regulation.
The project is part of an interdisciplinary consortium studying the “Genomic Basis of Evolutionary Innovations (GEvol)” (Priority Programme, SPP 2349 funded by German Science Foundation (DFG)) and the PhD candidate will be tightly embedded in the international and vibrant research community at the Göttingen Research Campus and the graduate school IMPRS-GS. Regular exchange with and research visits at collaboration labs (e.g. Mathilde Cordellier, University Rostock), as well as a broad workshop and skills program to choose from provide further opportunities for personal and professional development.

https://g-evol.uni-muenster.de/