Biosciences Seminar Speaker 20 June 2018

Biosciences Seminar Series - Spring 2018
20 June 2018 - 10am - Zoology Museum

(Note different day and time)

Genetic characterisation of mussel populations (Mytilus spp.) from the hybrid zone in southwestern England using SNP markers

Dr. Ángel Pérez Diz

(University of Vigo, Spain)

from: http://www.mollusca.co.nz

The Biosciences Seminar Series terminates for the 2017/18 academic year with a talk by Dr. Ángel Pérez Diz from the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology at the University of Vigo (Spain). Angel's research interests are mainly focussed on evolutionary biology, and specifically in understanding the functional consequences of genetic changes and the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation and speciation in marine organisms. He uses proteogenomic and other omics approaches to examine the consequences of reproductive isolation.

Abstract

The study of the mechanisms that lead to the formation of new species is of special interest in marine ecosystems due to the lack of obvious barriers to gene flow. Mussels of the genus Mytilus are marine organisms with external fertilization able to hybridize where the distribution of two species overlap, allowing the study of reproductive isolation and local adaptation mechanisms in a natural scenario. Because the formation of hybrids is so frequent between Mytilus spp., it is likely that different types of reproductive barriers might be playing a role to preserve the genome integrity of each species, though the relative contribution of each is far from clear. One of the best studied M. edulis x M. galloprovincialis hybrid zones is that extending along SW England coast. Most of genetic studies on samples from this hybrid zone were carried out during 80s and early 90s, with results and conclusions relying on variation analysis in a few allozyme, a single nuclear marker (Glu-5) or mtDNA RFLPs data. The last technological and methodological advances in genomic field is allowing to identify, characterise and analyse an unprecedented number of genetic markers that should contribute to fine tune or even expand the results reported in classical genetic studies. This is the case for a set of new 50 SNP markers with high FST values (diagnostic) between pure M. edulis and M. galloprovincialis reference populations that have been recently reported in the literature. We have analysed the genetic variation of different mussel populations collected along the SW England hybrid zone and parental species based on this new set of markers. Results will be shown and discussed in relation to those obtained in older studies and from an evolutionary viewpoint.

 

Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!


For the list of forthcoming seminars see here