Phylogenetische Analyse der Evolution von Genomgrößen bei epiphytischen Kakteen

Die Evolution der Genomgrößen erfährt aktuell enorme Aufmerksamkeit durch immer mehr verfügbare Daten über die gesamte Pflanzendiversität hinweg. Die Messung von Genomgrößen (2C-DNA) kann als Annäherung an den Ploidiegrad eines Organismus verwendet werden und ist damit eine schnelle Methode um Polyploidisierung und Hybridisierung von Arten abzuschätzen. Beide Prozesse, Hybridisierung und Polyploidisierung, werden als Artbildungsprozesse bei den Kakteen diskutiert, aber es mangelt bislang an ausreichend Daten. Diese Lücke soll für epiphytische Kakteen geschlossen werden, indem ein teils komplett neuer 2C-DNA Datensatz erstellt wird. Die erhobenen Daten sollen in einem phylogenetischen Kontext analysiert und in Hinblick auf Artbildungsprozesse diskutiert werden.

• Methoden: Durchflusszytometrie (FCM), Chromosomenzählung / Mikroskopie, phylogenetische Analysen und Merkmalsevolution

• Kontakt: Dr. Jeannine Marquardt / Dr. Nadja Korotkova

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Analysis of nuclear microsatellite loci of Calligonum bakuense

Nuclear microsatellite loci are used for assessing genetic diversity within species. They thus play a major role in the analysis of populations of threatened species for the development of scientifically founded protection strategies. Calligonum bakuense (Polygonaceae) is a shrub endemic to the Absheron peninsula in Azerbaijan, where it is threatened by industrial activities.

In a previous study, the nuclear genome of C. bakuense was scanned for microsatellite loci and primers for candidate regions were designed. Based on these results, a multiplex panel for Illumina sequencing of several polymorphic loci will be developped. Potential tetraploidy in C. bakuense has to be considered in this process. 

• Methods:  Plant DNA extraction, gel-electrophoresis, PCR, chromosome counting, DNA-sequencing / fragment analysis, analysis of population genetic data

• Contact: Dr. Katja Reichel

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Chloroplast haplotype analysis for Scabiosa canescens

Scabiosa canescens (Caprifoliaceae, Dipsacoideae) is a Central European plant mainly growing in xerothermic habitats, such as dry grasslands, dry forest edges and open pine forests. Due to a general decline in the number and size of its populations, it is now considered threatened throughout Germany, which, being at the center of its range, has a special responsibility for the conservation of this species.

In previous studies, populations throughout the species' distributional area have been compared based on three marker regions in the chloroplast genome, and the results juxtaposed with those of a Germany-wide microsatellite analysis. On this basis, further samples will be analysed and integrated into the dataset, and the chloroplast genome of S. canescens characterized.

• Methods: plant DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, DNA sequenzing, comparative sequence analysis

• Contact: Dr. Katja Reichel

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Chloroplast phylogenomics of Pyrus (Rosaceae)

The genus Pyrus (pears) is a group of deciduous trees and shrubs in temperate Eurasia and Northern Africa with high economical value but also urgent conservation needs (crop-wild relatives). The aim of this project is to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of wild species of Pyrus using complete plastid genomes. Specifically, in the course of the Masters Project plastid genome sequences of a number of different samples will be newly generated. After alignment with already available genomes, phylogenetic trees will be reconstructed. In the longer term well-supported phylogenies will be used to analyse the orgin of species diversity in Pyrus, with a particular focus on the Caucasus ecoregion.

• Methods: Next-generation sequencing techniques, bioinformatic data analysis (assembly, annotation), phylogenetic analysis.

• Please contact: Dr. Michael Grünstäudl / Dr. Nadja Korotkova

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