Title: The evolutionary causes and consequences of selection at the gametic level

Abstract:

An inescapable consequence of sex in eukaryotes is the evolution of a biphasic life cycle with alternating diploid and haploid phases. The occurrence of selection during both phases has far reaching consequences for fundamental evolutionary processes including the rate of adaptation, the extent of inbreeding depression and the load of deleterious mutations, as well as for applied research into assisted fertilization. It has been a long-standing dogma that, unlike in plants, selection at the haploid gametic level in animals is of no great importance. Our research investigates the relative importance of genetic and epigenetic effects in sperm for the subsequent generation using the zebrafish Danio rerio as a model system. We combine experimental work with next generation sequencing of both RNA and DNA at different stages from sperm to the resulting offspring. Our recent findings suggest that contrary to previous predictions, selection at the haploid level involving both, genetic and epigenetic factors is likely to play a crucial role for general fitness even during the short gametic phase in animals.

Please note that this seminar will take place Thursday 12 January and not 13 January as previously announced, to avoid clashing with PhD defense 13 January.