Projects & Grants
| Exploring eukaryotic genome evolution: lessons from non-model Euglenozoa | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | 23-07695S |
| Main solver | Mgr. Alexej Jurjevič Kostygov |
| Period | 3/2023 - 12/2025 |
| Provider | Standardní projekt GA ČR |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | Understanding evolution of fundamental cellular structures and processes is only possible, when the analyses cover eukaryotic diversity outside popular model organisms. Euglenozoa, incorporating diplonemids, kinetoplastids and euglenids, belong to the most divergent branches on the eukaryotic tree of life. Ecological success of diplonemids, the most diverse group of marine eukaryotes, and kinetoplastid parasites with a wide host range and an impressive parasitic molecular toolkit, is undeniable. Genome changes underlying lifestyle switches in kinetoplastids are relatively well-studied only in human pathogens, while genomic basis of ecological success of diplonemids remains enigmatic. Lifestyle switches are accompanied not only by changes in gene repertoire and expression, but also in gene structure. In contrast to nearly intronless kinetoplastid genomes, diplonemids and euglenids are rich in cis-spliced introns, including those with atypical borders. We are aiming at investigating genome evolution in Euglenozoa, with potential implications for eukaryotic evolution in general. |
