Project summary

Birds have the smallest genomes among vertebrates. This has been attributed to selection for smaller cells, which permits higher metabolic rate required for flight and more neurons to be packed in the brain. Recently, it has been shown that reduction of genome size in songbirds may be facilitated by elimination of genetic material dispensable for soma from somatic cells and its maintenance only in the germline, where it forms the so-called germline-restricted chromosome (GRC). The genetic composition and importance of this chromosome for gametogenesis is still largely unknown. The first aim of this project is to sequence the GRC in the Bengalese finch (Lonchura domestica), a songbird species where GRC represents the largest element of the karyotype, and to identify functional genes on this chromosome. This will be done by comparison of whole genome sequences of somatic and germinal tissues and characterization of gonadal transcriptomes. Furthermore, given the highly variable size and genetic composition of GRC among species, the second aim is to study the potential role of GRC in speciation using crosses between different Lonchura species. The project will combine genomic and cytogenetic approaches. The ideal candidate should have background in molecular genetics, cytogenetics and/or bioinformatics.

Five relevant publications of the research group

Janoušek V, Fischerová J, Mořkovský L, Reif J, Antczak M, Albrecht T and Reifová R. 2018. Postcopulatory sexual selection reduces Z-linked genetic variation and might contribute to the large Z effect in passerine birds. Heredity. doi: 10.1038/s41437-018-0161-3. (IF: 3.87)

Mořkovský L, Janoušek V, Reif J, Rídl J, Pačes J, Choleva L, Janko K, Nachman MW and Reifová R. 2018. Genomic islands of differentiation in two songbird species reveal candidate genes for hybrid female sterility. Molecular Ecology, 27(4):949-958. (IF: 6.09)

Mořkovský L, Pačes J, Rídl J and Reifová R (2015). Scrimer: designing primers from transcriptome data. Molecular Ecology Resources 15:1415-20. (IF: 5.30)

Bhattacharyya T, Reifova R, Gregorova S, Simecek P, Gergelits V, Mistrik M, Martincova I, Pialek J and Forejt J (2014). X chromosome control of meiotic chromosome synapsis in mouse inter-subspecific hybrids. PLoS Genetics 10: e1004088. (IF: 7.53)

Storchová R, Reif J and Nachman MW (2010). Female heterogamety and speciation: Reduced introgression of the Z chromosome between two species of nightingales. Evolution 64: 456-471. (IF: 5.66)

Current research grants of the group

2018–2020
Czech Science Foundation, Standard grant (18-14325S). The genetic basis of species origin: What can we learn from organisms with female heterogamety? (Principal Investigator: Radka Reifová)

2019-2021
PRIMUS/19/SCI/08. Postcopulatory sexual selection and speciation in nightingales (Principal Investigator: Radka Reifová)

Source of financial support of the project
(min. 5000 CZK per month)

Czech Science Foundation, Standard grant (18-14325S). The genetic basis of species origin: What can we learn from organisms with female heterogamety? (Principal Investigator: Radka Reifová)

PRIMUS/19/SCI/08. Postcopulatory sexual selection and speciation in nightingales (Principal Investigator: Radka Reifová)