CONVERGENCE
Financiado
Major transitions made easy? In search of genetic preconditions that help the re...
Major transitions made easy? In search of genetic preconditions that help the repeated evolution and loss of fungal multicellularity
In this project, we aim to study the genetic mechanisms of convergent evolution by uncovering the mechanistic details of two highly replicated transitions in organismal complexity. Convergent evolution is widespread in nature, eve...
In this project, we aim to study the genetic mechanisms of convergent evolution by uncovering the mechanistic details of two highly replicated transitions in organismal complexity. Convergent evolution is widespread in nature, even on macroevolutionary timescales. To explain its pervasiveness, recent studies have proposed the idea of predisposing precursor traits that, if easily co- or exapted for new functions, can increase the likelihood of convergence. However, most of these hypotheses remain untested because of the lack of tractable model systems. We identified two fungal case studies that offer optimal model systems to mechanistically test the hypothesis that precursor traits increase the likelihood of convergence: (i) 8-11 repeated origins of complex multicellularity in mushrooms and (ii) >14 losses of multicellularity in yeast-like fungi. We hypothesize that both of these occurred by the repeated exaptation of ancient morphogenetic programs and, in the case of yeasts, additionally, by the emergence of mechanisms for bypassing multicellular growth. Our hypotheses imply that both complex multicellular and yeast-like lifestyles are only a few mutations away for any filamentous fungus because precursor traits shorten the mutational path for evolution. Although these are bold hypotheses, we obtained promising preliminary results that support them. We designed an experimental plan involving phylogeny-aware comparative -omics, reverse genetics, and evo-devo, which, when combined with our preliminary results, will provide a robust entry point for testing the role of predisposition in convergent evolution and will ultimately allow us to replay the tape of major fungal transitions in the laboratory. We expect this project to contribute to uncovering the general principles of convergent evolution and to be one of the first to mechanistically test if certain precursor traits can promote convergence.
ver más
Duración del proyecto: 61 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2023-05-11
Fecha Fin: 2028-06-30
Fecha Fin: 2028-06-30
Línea de financiación: concedida
El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2023-05-11
Línea de financiación objetivo
El proyecto se financió a través de la siguiente ayuda:
ERC-2022-COG:
ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS
Cerrada
hace 2 años
Presupuesto
El presupuesto total del proyecto asciende a
2M€
Líder del proyecto
HUNREN SZEGEDI BIOLOGIAI KUTATOKOZPONT
No se ha especificado una descripción o un objeto social para esta compañía.
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5
Perfil tecnológico
TRL
4-5