Download postdoc kelp selection GENIALG Roscoff

Kelp life history evolution and selection for aquaculture.
A two-year postdoctoral research position is available immediately at the Roscoff Marine Laboratory, UMI
“Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of Algae” in France (http://www.sb-roscoff.fr/umi-3614.html). The aim of the
project is to use a combination of crossing experiments and genetic analyses in order to improve our basic knowledge
of life history traits evolution in brown algae and to implement kelp selection for aquaculture. This position is funded
in the context of the EU GENIALG project (H2020-EU-BG-01-2016, ID 727892).
Artificial selection is crucial to algal aquaculture development, and contrarily to many terrestrial plant species,
selection process in seaweed is in infancy, particularly in Europe. The aim of the GENIALG project is to implement
basic research for selection process in seaweed aquaculture incorporating rigorous evolutionary thinking into it.
Generally, seaweed populations are characterized by large level of genetic differentiation suggesting that populations
are adapted to their local environment. In this context, parents that are too similar genetically may suffer from
reduced crossing compatibility due to inbreeding depression, whereas crosses between parents that are too different
genetically may lead to an outbreeding depression by disrupting adaptive complexes. An intermediate optimal
outcrossing distance is therefore expected as a compromise between inbreeding depression and outbreeding
depression. In addition, seaweeds display complex life cycles, involving an alternation of haploid and diploid
individuals. The consequences of such cycles for the reproductive system have been little studied experimentally. In
particular, inbreeding depression is expected to be reduced as deleterious mutations are removed from the genome
during the haploid phase.
The objective of this project is to address these questions combining crossing experiments with genetic analyses, in
particular quantitative trait locus (QTL) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the kelp Saccharina
latissima. The effects of crosses on reproductive success will be investigated by examining the evolution of crossing
compatibility with increasing geographic distance. The number of fertilizations and abortion rate will be measured in
single-male crosses in laboratory conditions, as estimates of prezygotic and early postzygotic compatibility between
mates. Segregating families will be generated by carrying out intraspecific crosses between selected strains of S.
latissima and the progeny will be phenotyped under controlled conditions to identify novel strains with
characteristics of industrial interest. Several parameters will be taken into account, including growth characteristics,
biomolecule content (e.g. lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, amino acids) and stress and disease resistance. In addition
to the phenotype-based breeding approaches proposed above, we will develop marker-based breeding strategies
based on QTL identification and genome wide association studies (GWAS). These approaches will be developed
specifically for S. latissima using data generated in the GENIALG project but will also take advantage of currently
available genomic sequence data for this species and the sister species S. japonica (Yeet al., 2015, Nature
communications, 6), and of additional genomic data that will be generated by the recently funded French
"Phaeoexplorer" project.
Applicants must have a PhD in evolutionary ecology, in plant breeding or genetics. They must have a good background
in population genetics and demonstrable experience in breeding experiments. Specific experience on seaweed
ecology and culturing is preferable.
Salary will be 2000 € to 2500€ per month (net) depending on experience.
Applications are accepted until 10 May, 2017 and should include CV together with a description of research
experience, relevant publications and 2 letters of references. Selected candidates will be interviewed from the 11 –
12 May 2017.
Applications should be sent to Myriam Valero ([email protected]) and Barbara Raffenne ([email protected]). We prefer applications in electronic form.
For more information please contact Myriam Valero.