Genetic Conflict, Genome Evolution and the evolution of systems of inheritance
Sexual reproduction is likely maintained in populations because it allows species to adapt to parasites. However, sexual reproduction also releases conflict within the genome. Through fertilization, selfish elements known as transposable elements can rapidly move in genomes, even if they are harmful. In response to this challenge, RNA silencing plays a key role in genome defense. Our research aims to explain how this evolutionary conflict shapes the mechanisms of inheritance. In particular, we seek to understand how selfish DNA shapes the mechanisms of genome stability, meiosis, gametogenesis and epigenetic inheritance.
Major Projects
Epigenetic silencing by small RNAs How do small RNAs transmitted through the female germline shape TE and gene expression patterns in populations?
Molecular evolution of the RNA silencing machinery What are the forces that drive rapid evolution in the machinery of RNA silencing?
Population dynamics of transposable elements What determines variation in TE content among species?
Evolution of meiosis and recombination How are mechanisms of chromosome pairing, crossing-over and gene conversion shaped by the challenge of repetitive selfish DNA?
DNA damage, mutation and the evolution of genome stability mechanisms How does germline DNA damage arising from TEs, occurring alongside programmed DSBs, shape the DNA damage response?
Molecular evolution of the RNA silencing machinery What are the forces that drive rapid evolution in the machinery of RNA silencing?
Population dynamics of transposable elements What determines variation in TE content among species?
Evolution of meiosis and recombination How are mechanisms of chromosome pairing, crossing-over and gene conversion shaped by the challenge of repetitive selfish DNA?
DNA damage, mutation and the evolution of genome stability mechanisms How does germline DNA damage arising from TEs, occurring alongside programmed DSBs, shape the DNA damage response?
