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Discover Signatures of Niche Adaptation through Comparative Genomics and Functional Genetic Studies

Lake Tuz salt flats, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Image by Sun Hee Yeon

Image by Gunsu Inan

Images by Hyewon Hong

Copy number variation in putative Li transporters

AT              SP

S. parvula adapted to high lithium in Lake Tuz soils? 

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Interpreting recently assembled genomes is biologically and computationally challenging. If new gene models have high sequence similarity with previously identified genes in model species, we assume similar functions for the new gene models until functional studies replace the current annotations. Through comparative genomics we try to identify the similarities and differences in the novel extremophyte genomes compared to model genomes with the prospect that the differences in the genome level hold the key to different adaptations observed at the phenome level of the extremophytes. We investigate select candidate genomic variation using transgenic  studies to confirm novel adaptive traits.

Schrenkiella parvula with mature siliques growing in its native habitat, Central Turkey
Image by Ehmet Yaprak

RNA-seq 

2dat_mix_200 NaCl_ltr_scan_ch01.jpg
3dat_Mix_200 NaCl_ltr_newemerging_ch03.tif
1DAT_Mix_200 NaCl_ltrfull_ch03.tif

Schrenkiella parvula roots

Image by Thu Nguyen

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