BOL: Related items

Comparative genomics educational material and papers bookmarks

Jit — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 16:23:30 -0600

Alignment of the porcine genome against seven other mammalian genomes (Supplementary Information) identified homologous synteny blocks (HSBs). Using porcine HSBs and stringent filtering criteria, 192 pig-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions (EBRs) were located. The number of porcine EBRs is comparable to the number of bovine-lineage-specific EBRs (100) reported earlier using a slightly lower resolution (500 kilobases (kb)), indicating that both lineages evolved with an average rate of ~2.1 large-scale rearrangements per million years after the divergence from a common cetartiodactyl ancestor ~60 Myr ago². This rate compares to ~1.9 rearrangements per million years within the primate lineage (Supplementary Table 11). A total of 20 and 18 cetartiodactyl EBRs (shared by pigs and cattle) were detected using the pig and human genomes as a reference, respectively.

Address of the bookmark: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v491/n7424/abs/nature11622.html

PostDoc in Germany @ EvolutionaryTheory

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 06:50:26 -0500

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the group of Jonathan Henshaw at the University of Freiburg in Germany (https://www.henshaw-lab.com/). We are a primarily theoretical lab working on a broad set of topics in evolutionary biology, with a particular focus on the evolution of animal behaviour. We develop both individual-based simulations and mathematical models (e.g., using evolutionary game theory, adaptive dynamics and quantitative genetics). We put a strong emphasis on a supportive and inclusive working environment. As a postdoc in our lab, you would have considerable freedom to shape the direction of your projects within these broad areas of interest.

More at https://evoldir.net/brian/evoldir/PostDocs//UniFreiburg_Germany.EvolutionaryTheory

Rotifers Lab

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 23:23:14 -0600

For scientists in the MBL’s Gribble Lab, the rotifer (Brachionus manjavacas) is used as a model organism to study evolution, stress responses, the biology of aging, and maternal effects. Rotifers are small, easy to grow in the lab, have a short lifespan, and share many of their genes with humans. That makes them ideal specimens in which to address questions relevant to human health as well as understand basic biological and evolutionary processes. Brachionus rotifers produces eggs that can be completely dried and frozen for decades, then hatch within a day when exposed to water and light.

https://www.mbl.edu/research/research-organisms/rotifer
https://gribblebiolab.org/

Rennison Lab !

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 15:10:32 -0500

Welcome to the Rennison lab in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California San Diego. We are a group interested in the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity. We study the processes related to biodiversity using methods from the fields of evolution, ecology, population genomics, and theory.

More at https://rennisonlab.com/

Postdoctoral Fellow in Genomics and Comparative Genomics

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:12:32 -0500

Environnement de travail (Work environment):
The successful candidate will join a dynamic research group working
on the ecology and evolution of host'parasite'environment
interactions in non-model organisms, particularly snail vectors and
its trematode parasites. She/He will conduct genomic analyses aimed at
understanding host'parasite coevolution and the genetic architecture
of resistance in the invasive snail Pseudosuccinea columella to the
zoonotic parasite Fasciola hepatica. This thematic line is embedded
within the regional scientific project InvaSnail financed by the
ExposUM initiative from the Montpellier. The position is based in
Montpellier, a vibrant scientific hub in Southern France internationally
recognized for excellence in ecology and evolutionary biology. The IHPE
laboratory provides a collaborative research environment with access
to high-performance computing facilities, sequencing platforms, and
strong interdisciplinary interactions across research institutions in
the Montpellier area. University

Main mission:

Develop and implement strategies for whole-genome sequencing of non-model
species
Generate high-quality de novo genome assemblies using short- and long-read
sequencing technologies
Perform genome annotation and structural/functional characterization
Conduct comparative genomic analyses across related species or populations
Design and implement genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify
loci associated with phenotypic or adaptive traits
Integrate genomic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets
Contribute to the development of reproducible bioinformatics pipelines

ActivitÃ©s (Activities):

Lead the genomic component of the research project
High-molecular-weight DNA extraction optimization
Long-read genome assembly (PacBio HiFi / ONT)
Genome polishing and quality assessment (BUSCO, QUAST)
Structural and functional annotation
Variant discovery (SNPs, indels, SVs)
Population genomic analyses (FST, demographic inference)
Mixed-model GWAS accounting for structure
Workflow development (Snakemake/Nextflow)
HPC-based pipeline implementation
Publish results in peer-reviewed journals
Present findings at international conferences
Collaborate with experimental and computational team members
Contribute to project development
Mentor graduate students when appropriate

More at https://evol.mcmaster.ca/brian/evoldir/PostDocs//MontpellierU.ComparativeGenomics

Assistant Professor - Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development - Molecular & Cell Biology

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:54:00 -0500

Salary range: The current salary range for this position is $84,100 - $132,900 (9-month academic year salary), however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions.
Anticipated start: July 1, 2027
Application Window
Open date: July 27, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Oct 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Oct 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at the University of California, Berkeley invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development (GGED) Division, at the Assistant Professor level.

More at https://evoldir.net/brian/evoldir/Jobs//UC-Berkeley.Tenure_track_faculty_in_genetics_genomics_evolution_and_development

When Genes Leave Clues: Reading the Evolutionary Footprints of Life

LEGE — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:47:07 -0500

Imagine walking through a forest and finding two sets of footprints that always appear, disappear, and reappear together. You might wonder whether the animals are connected. In genomics, genes leave similar footprints across evolution. When two genes repeatedly occur together—or disappear together—across different species, their shared evolutionary history can provide clues about their function.

This idea, known as phylogenetic profiling, is the foundation of Profylo (https://github.com/MartinSchoenstein/Profylo), an open-source Python toolkit developed for comparing evolutionary profiles and discovering co-evolving genes. Profylo brings together seven profile-comparison methods and four approaches for identifying co-evolving gene clusters, making it easier to explore hidden functional relationships within genomes.

The study demonstrates that even a simple matrix of gene presence and absence can reveal meaningful biological patterns. By following these evolutionary footprints, researchers can generate new hypotheses about unknown genes, pathways, and molecular interactions. In a world where genomes are being sequenced faster than ever, tools like Profylo offer an exciting way to let evolution itself become a guide to understanding gene function.

More at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00239-025-10280-6

Mulan: Multiple-sequence local alignment and visualization for studying function and evolution

Jit — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 09:50:01 -0500

Mulan: Multiple-sequence local alignment and visualization for studying function and evolution

Mulan (http://mulan.dcode.org/), a novel method and a network server for comparing multiple draft and finished-quality sequences to identify functional elements conserved over evolutionary time. Mulan brings together several novel algorithms: the TBA multi-aligner program for rapid identification of local sequence conservation, and the multiTF program for detecting evolutionarily conserved transcription factor binding sites in multiple alignments. In addition, Mulan supports two-way communication with the GALA database; alignments of multiple species dynamically generated in GALA can be viewed in Mulan, and conserved transcription factor binding sites identified with Mulan/multiTF can be integrated and overlaid with extensive genome annotation data using GALA.

Address of the bookmark: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC540288/

What is the hologenome concept of evolution?

Jit — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:23:54 -0600

All multicellular organisms are colonized by microbes, but a gestalt study of the composition of microbiome communities and their influence on the ecology and evolution of their macroscopic hosts has only recently become possible. One approach to thinking about the topic is to view the host–microbiome ecosystem as a “holobiont”.

Address of the bookmark: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6198262/

Chromosome breakpoint - a breakup to remember

BioStar — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:31:54 -0600

Chromosome breakpoint refers to the physical location where a chromosome is broken and rearranged. Chromosome breakage can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, or viruses. The rearrangement of genetic material resulting from a chromosome breakpoint can have important consequences, including the development of genetic diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, or cancer.

Chromosome breakpoints can occur in two ways: interstitial or terminal. Interstitial breakpoints occur within the chromosome, while terminal breakpoints occur at the end of the chromosome. Terminal breakpoints can lead to the loss of genetic material, whereas interstitial breakpoints can result in the duplication or deletion of genetic material.

Chromosome breakpoints can be detected using a variety of techniques, including cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). These techniques can also help identify the exact location of the breakpoint and the nature of the rearrangement, such as translocations, inversions, deletions, or duplications.

Translocations are one of the most common types of chromosome rearrangements caused by breakpoints. In a translocation, genetic material is exchanged between two different chromosomes, resulting in a balanced or unbalanced distribution of genetic material. Unbalanced translocations can cause genetic diseases or developmental abnormalities, while balanced translocations can be inherited without any apparent phenotypic effects.

Inversions occur when a chromosome segment is inverted, resulting in a change in the order of genetic material. Inversions can be pericentric, involving the centromere, or paracentric, not involving the centromere. Inversions can cause genetic diseases or phenotypic effects if they disrupt the function of essential genes or regulatory elements.

Deletions and duplications are caused by interstitial breakpoints that result in the loss or gain of genetic material. Deletions can cause genetic diseases or developmental abnormalities if they involve essential genes or regulatory elements. Duplications can also have phenotypic effects, depending on the location and size of the duplicated segment.

Chromosome breakpoints can also be involved in the formation of complex chromosomal rearrangements, such as ring chromosomes or dicentric chromosomes. These complex rearrangements can have important clinical implications, as they can cause genetic diseases or cancer.

In conclusion, chromosome breakpoints are important genetic events that can lead to the rearrangement of genetic material and have important clinical implications. The detection and characterization of chromosome breakpoints using cytogenetic, molecular, and genomic methods are essential for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of genetic diseases and cancer. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome breakage and to develop new therapies targeting these events.