N. CORRADI - Evolutionary Genomics of Curious Fungi

9h30: Z. MYBURG: The Eucalyptus Genome: Unlocking opportunities for understanding tree biology and advancing tree improvement

Chair in Forest Genomics and Biotechnology, Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Genomics Research Institute (GRI) - University of Pretoria

The completion of the genome of Eucalyptusgrandis has generated a rich reference for the genus and a starting place for understanding genome diversity underlying variation in the growth, development and environmental interactions of these trees. The genome sequence has revealed unique properties such as an ancient (>100 mya) genome duplication and a high rate of tandem gene duplication that has greatly increased gene diversity. This genetic diversity can be mined to understand tree biology and to fast-track tree improvement. Over the past 10 years, we have collaborated with forestry companies in South Africa to develop experimental tree populations and genomic resources for genetic dissection of growth and wood properties. RNA and metabolite profiling together with high-throughput DNA genotyping has allowed us to begin modelling wood development as a biological system to identify key regulatory processes. We are now expanding the research to apply genomic technologies to tree populations to develop genomic selection as an application to advance tree improvement.  

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• Contact : Jacqueline Grima-Petenatti >>>

10h30 : Coffee break

11h: N.CORRADI: Evolutionary Genomics of Curious Fungi

The talk will focus on two fungal organisms that are evolutionary unrelated but equally intriguing: the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and the Microsporidia. AMF represent an ecologically relevant group of ancient asexuals that form widespread symbioses with the roots of most land plants. AMF are obligate symbiont characterized by large genomes. Microsporidia form a group of obligate intracellular parasites where most species are characterized by miniaturized genomes, which we use as models to study the evolution of eukaryotic genomes in a broad sense.

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• Contact : Christophe Roux >>>