SNSF grant «Evolutionary dynamics of chromosomal inversions and local adaptation»
Dr. Stephan Peischl
Nature showcases a fascinating mosaic of adaptations, with species evolving to adapt to their ever-changing environments. Chromosomal inversions, structural mutations that reverse gene order and link different gene variants, play a key role in this process. These inversions, often influenced by environmental factors like temperature and altitude, contribute to reproductive isolation and new species emergence. However, the exact mechanisms behind their contribution to local adaptation and the formation of new species remain unclear.
This project explores whether genomic structure facilitates the establishment of locally adaptive mutations or if natural selection and adaptive genome content drive the evolution of structural variation. By developing new statistical methods and mathematical models, and using machine learning to analyze data from sticklebacks and fruit flies, the project aims to demonstrate how chromosomal inversions contribute to local adaptation.
