Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101206
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,536.00
Summary
Beyond genes: How the extended genotype of plants facilitates adaptation. Adaptation to environmental change is required for species to persist, however rapid environmental change may exceed the limits of traditional genetic adaptation leading to widespread decline. Recent work has highlighted the 'extended genotype' as an additional factor influencing adaptive phenotypes. This project aims to examine DNA methylation and polyploidisation as both a cause and consequence of the adaptation process ....Beyond genes: How the extended genotype of plants facilitates adaptation. Adaptation to environmental change is required for species to persist, however rapid environmental change may exceed the limits of traditional genetic adaptation leading to widespread decline. Recent work has highlighted the 'extended genotype' as an additional factor influencing adaptive phenotypes. This project aims to examine DNA methylation and polyploidisation as both a cause and consequence of the adaptation process using natural populations of the model cereal Brachypodium distachyon. The project aims to determine the architecture of these features and how their variability impacts adaptive traits such as flowering time. From the functional role of the extended genotype the project endeavours to predict and select genetic responses to the environment.Read moreRead less