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Examples of ongoing projects:
Gynodioecy in the genus Plantago: Inter-genomic conflict in gynodioecy and its effects on molecular evolution of mitochondrial genomes.
Dr Nicholas Levsen and Dr Kirsten
Wolff, in collaboration with Prof Deborah Charlesworth and Dr Roberta Bergero at Edinburgh University.
The recently awarded NERC grant (July 2012) will allow us to further investigate evolutionary aspects of male sterility in Plantago.
Evolution and Population Genetics in the Genus Tilia
Ms Prattana Phuekvilai,
with Dr Kirsten Wolff
Genetic diversity is the basis for the ability of forest trees to adapt to changes of the environment and this is an important key for evolution. In this project we set out to understand the evolution and population genetic structure in Tilia cordata in the UK and mainland Europe. As Tilia trees were once a very common species in the UK and current trees are considered to be ancient trees. They are probably the longest living tree species, yet we know virtually nothing about their evolutionary history.
In order to understand the genetic diversity of Tilia, the study of phylogenetic relationships and the phylogeography of European wide samples will be carried out. In addition, local genetic structure of ancient British limewoods will be study. By the development of nuclear microsatellite markers and sequencing of chloroplast and single copy nuclear regions, the levels of variability within and among Tilia populations and their phylogeographic histories would be revealed.
Molecular ecology of lime (Tilia sp.) populations: Indicators of ancient woodlands
Mr Sammy Logan, with Dr Kirsten Wolff
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