two PhD projects at the University of Edinburgh

two PhD projects at the University of
Edinburgh.
Advisory team: Dr. Laura Ross (Edinburgh), Dr. Konrad Lohse
(Edinburgh), Dr. Andy Gardner (st Andrews) and Dr. Lyn Cook (University
of Queensland)

Project 1: Intralocus sexual conflict and genome evolution in
haplodiploid organisms

Sexual conflicts result from a clash of interests between the sexes
[1]. In many cases, this battle is fought at the level of the gene:
males and females may differ with respect to which version of a gene
maximizes their Darwinian fitness. Whilst the effects of such
intralocus sexual conflicts have been studied intensively in many
organisms, the vast majority of studies have focused on species with
classical, diploid sexual reproduction. However, as many as 15% of
animal species exhibit an alternative, haplodiploid mode of
inheritance. In such species, mothers monopolize the production of male
offspring, either by asexual production of sons or by producing sons
that eliminate their father's genome after the zygote stage [2]. This
asymmetrical mode of inheritance is likely to affect the outcome of
intralocus sexual conflict. Specifically, as alleles that favour male
fitness cannot be passed on directly from fathers to sons, sexual
conflicts may be resolved in favour of females [2].

 The aim of this project is to study the fate of alleles under
intralocus sexual conflict in a range of haplodiploid taxa. Studying
such exceptions to the general rules of reproduction provides
illumination of the fundamental principles of evolutionary genetics
(see [3] for a recent comparable example).

 This project will combine laboratory experiments, gene expression
studies and genome analyses. We will focus particularly on springtails
and fungus gnats, as males in these species carry and express their
father's genomes, but do not pass them on to their offspring. In
addition, these species still retain recognizable sex chromosomes,
which enables informative sex chromosome / autosome comparisons (e.g.
[3] for a similar approach). These experimental approaches will be
combined with comparative phylogenetic analyses and the development of
novel evolutionary theory, according to the interests of the student.
The project is cosupervised by Dr. Gardner (University of St. Andrews)
a leading mathematical biologist whose works spans a wide range of
topics in theoretical biology and genetics. The proposed project
strongly rest upon this collaboration as, on the one hand,
formalization of the relevant theoretical hypotheses is currently
lacking and, on the other hand, empirical work is required for
estimation of key model parameters. The candidate will be based
primarily in Edinburgh, as required by the empirical work, but will
spend 1-2 days per month in St. Andrews for the duration of the
project, as well as two 1-2 month intensive visits to the Gardner lab
in years 2 and 3.

[1] Bonduriansky, Russell, and Stephen F. Chenoweth. "Intralocus sexual
conflict." Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24.5 (2009): 280-288.

[2] De la Filia, Andres G., Stevie A. Bain, and Laura Ross.
"Haplodiploidy and the reproductive ecology of Arthropods." Current
Opinion in Insect Science (2015).

[3] Jaquiry, Julie, et al. "Masculinization of the X chromosome in
the pea aphid." Plos Genet 9 (2013): e1003690.

Project 2: Sexual conflict and the loss of paternal genes in a group of
Australian insects

In thousands of insects reproduction involves "Genomic exclusion",
where males discard the chromosomes they inherited from their father
(Paternal Genome Elimination, PGE). This unusual type of reproduction
gives rise to sons that inherit genes from both their parents, but in
which genes inherited from their father are suppressed and eliminated.
As a result, males do never pass on any genes from their father
(Gardner & Ross, 2014; Ross et al.)  Until now, the lack of suitable
insect study systems has made it difficult to understand PGE: It is
absent in established model systems such as Drosophila and tends to be
evolutionarily conserved, making comparative studies difficult. However
we recently identified a group of Australian scale insects that vary in
the way they reproduce, with some species eliminating their father's
genes while others do not. This group therefore provides a rare chance
for acquiring new insights into the way this peculiar type of
reproduction evolved as well as the way it is accomplished.

The main questions addressed in the project are why and how males in
some species eliminate the genes they inherit from their fathers, while
others do not. Understanding this will give general insights into why
reproduction is so variable across the tree of life.

The proposed project will study the reproduction of a group of insects
that is found exclusively in Australia and feeds on eucalyptus trees.
The project on one hand will involve sampling and determining the
reproductive strategy of a large number of species as well as determine
ecological factors that might explain some of this variation. On the
other hand it will focus in more detail on a single genus of
Cystococcus (Semple et al. 2015, see figure 1), in which three species
vary in the presence of PGE. We will compare these three species using
a combination of genetic, genomic and cytogenetic approaches to
understand how and why they vary in their reproductive genetics.
Although primarily based at the University of Edinburgh, the project
will involve fieldtrips and labwork at the University of Queensland in
Australia, in collaboration with Dr. Lyn Cook.

-       Gardner, A. & Ross, L. (2014) Mating ecology explains patterns
of genome elimination Ecology Letters 17, 1602-1612.

-      Ross, L., Pen, I. & Shuker, D. M. (2010). Genomic conflict in
scale insects: the causes and consequences of bizarre genetic systems.
Biological Reviews 85, 807-828.
  * Semple, T., Gullan, P., Hodgson, C., Hardy, N., & Cook, L. (2015).
    Systematic review of the Australian. Invertebrate Systematics 29,
    287-312.

For informal enquiries contact Dr Laura Ross at laura.ross@ed.ac.uk.
Funding options are available for both UK and non-UK students but
deadlines vary so please get in touch asap.

Laura Ross 

Graduate Student Positions in Invasion Ecology at the University of Toronto - applications open

Graduate Student Positions in Invasion Ecology at the University of
Toronto - applications open

I am looking for Ph.D. and M.Sc. students for investigations into the
ecology of plants and their natural enemies (herbivores and pathogens)
in Ontario and elsewhere. Recent work by my lab has centred on the effects
of these enemies on non-native species. We have used field experiments and
surveys to test whether alien plants experience reduced rates of insect
and pathogen damage, as predicted by the Enemy Release Hypothesis, and
whether exchange of enemies with native species depends upon phylogeny,
latitude, population isolation, and other factors. Information on our
research can be found at my home page (www.utm.utoronto.ca/~w3pkota).

We are a thriving department at a leading research institution,
with excellent resources and many opportunities for interaction
and collaboration. All graduate students are guaranteed a stable
minimum income, currently $25,250 from a variety of sources, as
well as support for research and conference travel. Information on
application procedures and our tri-campus graduate program can be found
at http://www.eeb.utoronto.ca/grad.htm. We accept applications beginning
in November, and begin to review them in January. Interested students
should contact me via e-mail: peter.kotanen@utoronto.ca.

Some recent publications

Santangelo J.S. and P.M. Kotanen (in press) Non-systemic fungal endophytes
increase host survival but reduce tolerance to herbivory in subarctic
Festuca rubra. Ecosphere: accepted 28 Sept 2015.

Lee, Y. and P.M. Kotanen (2015) Differences in herbivore damage and
performance among Arctium minus (burdock) genotypes sampled from a
geographic gradient: a common garden experiment. Biological Invasions
17: 397-408.

Kambo, D. and P.M. Kotanen (2014) Latitudinal trends in herbivory
and performance of an invasive species, common burdock (Arctium
minus). Biological Invasions 16: 101-112.

Dunn, A.M., M.E. Torchin, M.J. Hatcher, P.M. Kotanen, D.M. Blumenthal,
J.E. Byers, C.A.C. Coon, V.M. Frankel, R.D. Holt, R.A. Hufbauer,
A.R. Kanarek, K.A. Schierenbeck, L.M. Wolfe, and S. E. Perkins (2012)
Indirect effects of parasites on invasions. Functional Ecology 26:
1262-1274.

Hill S.B. and P.M. Kotanen (2011) Phylogenetic structure predicts
capitular damage to Asteraceae better than origin or phylogenetic distance
to natives. Oecologia 166: 843-851.
 
Peter M. Kotanen
Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of Toronto Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Road North
Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6 CANADA
tel: 905-828-5365; fax: 905-828-3792
e-mail: peter.kotanen@utoronto.ca  
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/~w3pkota/

"peter.kotanen@utoronto.ca" 

PhD Position in Symbiotic Speciation, at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria

PhD Position in Symbiotic Speciation,  at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria

A PhD position funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is available to
study the impact of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on physiology,
sexual behavior and de novo speciation of the model system Drosophila.

This intracellular bacterium is well known as the prime reproductive
parasite of insects by causing cytoplasmic incompatibilities,
feminization, parthenogenesis or male killing, but depending on their
evolutionary stage, it also can provide adaptive fitness benefits to
insect hosts, such as nutritional provisioning or pathogen protection. We
recently found that in some Drosophila species Wolbachia specifically
colonize defined host brain regions that orchestrate sexual behavior of
male and female flies. Furthermore we found that even slight perturbations
of this intimate host-symbiont homeostasis can foster de novo speciation
of Drosophila in the wild plus under experimental conditions in our
laboratory.

In this newly started FWF research project we aim to decipher the temporal
and functional dynamics of this Wolbachia-Drosophila symbiosis in two
different Drosophila systems, which are currently under speciation in
the Neotropics.

The successful candidate will be embedded in the highly multidisciplinary
and collaborative environments at the Department of Cell and Developmental
Biology of the Medical University of Vienna.

Applicants should hold a master's degree in biology, genetics,
microbiology, or a related discipline. We are looking for enthusiastic
scientists with proficient communication skills, who are good team
players. Previous experiences with DNA & RNA techniques, sequence
analyses, fly work, FISH assays, immunocytochemistry and/or microscopy
techniques are advantageous.

Please send applications (including CV, a letter of intent and contact
information of at least two referees) to the address below. Informal
enquiries are welcome.

Contact:Wolfgang Miller, 
Lab Genome dynamics, Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of
Vienna, Austria
E-Mail: wolfgang.miller@meduniwien.ac.at
Phone: 0043 1 40160 37750

Website: Department for Cell and Developmental Biology
| Department for Cell and Developmental Biology
| View on www.meduniwien.ac.at | Preview by Yahoo |

Wolfgang J. Miller, PhD
Lab Genome Dynamics,
Dept Cell & Developmental BiologyCenter of Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Medical University of Vienna,
Schwarzspanierstr. 17, HP 36
A-1090 Vienna AUSTRIA.

email: wolfgang.miller@meduniwien.ac.at
http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/celldev/miller/
Tel. 0043 1 40160 37750Fax 0043 1 40160 937790

Wolfgang Miller 

one PDRA and two PhD positions currently available in Alex Dumbrell's group

Dear All

Please find below exciting details of one PDRA and two PhD positions
currently available in Alex Dumbrell's group, Essex, UK. The positions
are part of a Large NERC Grant that is examining the Impacts of
global warming in sentinel freshwater systems: from genes to
ecosystems, led by Guy Woodward.

The 4yr PDRA position will examine the molecular microbial ecology of
natural and experimental freshwater systems responding to climatic
changes using a range of next generation sequencing approaches  -
deadline 31st October

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ALZ323/post-doctoral-research-officer-molecular-microbial-ecology/

http://jobs.essex.ac.uk/fe/ tpl_essex01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B1A&jobid=85537, 6936522321&key=161295353& c=47724765348658& pagestamp=seyusvpwsqepiphnfm

The 1st 4yr PhD (joint with Imperial College London and Bangor
University) will be Using Thermal Niche Theory to Predict Community
Dynamics in Freshwater Ecosystems, deadline 31st October

https://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/pg/studentships/
http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=66515&LID=2363

The 2nd 4yr PhD (joint with University of Exeter and Queen Mary
University London) will be examining The Role of Thermal Adaptation
in Constraining Long-term Biogeochemical Responses to Global
Warming, deadline 31st October.

https://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/pg/studentships/
http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=66523&LID=2363

We are looking to build a strong team as part of an international,
interdisciplinary project to deliver leading research in freshwater
ecosystems and so please do distribute the opportunities to anyone who
may be interested in applying for these positions.

For further information please contact Dr Alex Dumbrell
(adumbrell@essex.ac.uk) in the first instance.

Many thanks and best wishes
Alex
Simon Creer

Senior Lecturer

Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory

School of Biological Sciences

Environment Centre Wales

Bangor University

Gwynedd

LL57 2UW

Tel: +44(0)1248 382302

Fax: +44(0)1248 382569

web: http://mefgl.bangor.ac.uk/si.php

Skype: spideycreer
Twitter: @spideycreer

Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig 1141565 - Registered Charity No. 1141565

Simon Creer 

recruiting graduate students for fall 2016

The Porter lab at Washington State University, Vancouver, is
recruiting graduate students for fall 2016. Our lab explores the
evolutionary and ecological dynamics of plants and their microbial
symbionts to test fundamental theory about cooperative interactions.
We focus on environmentally acquired symbioses between plants and
microbial mutualists such as nitrogen-fixing rhizobium bacteria. Our
research projects range from the field, to the lab to the greenhouse
and integrate approaches from quantitative genetics, ecological
genetics and genomics.

Graduate students will have the opportunity to participate in the PI's
collaborative multi-year NSF-funded project with the Friesen lab at
Michigan State University to investigate evolutionary and ecological
shifts in plant-symbiont mutualism during plant invasions from Europe
into North America. Students are also welcome to develop a research
program aligned with their own interests and expertise on related
topics in plant or microbial evolutionary ecology. The lab currently
supports diverse projects ranging from examining how
plant-soil-microbial feedbacks impact succession post-eruption on
Mount Saint Helens, to testing the importance of microbes to plant
adaptation to heavy metals, to quantifying natural selection on
cheating strategies in mutualism. Visit our research page to read more
about the lab: http://research.vancouver.wsu.edu/porter-lab.

Graduate students will be supported through a combination of TAship
and research assistantship in the Porter lab (5-6 years for PhD, 2 for
MS) with the opportunity for summer funding. The PI will work with
students to develop competitive applications for independent graduate
funding. WSUV is a vibrant, rapidly growing institution located within
the greater Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area, near the Columbia
River, Cascade Mountains and coastal ocean, and as such offers an
exceptional quality of life.

Interested students should send a copy of their CV, description of
research interests, and GPA to stephanie.porter@wsu.edu.

"stephanie.porter@wsu.edu"