Paleogenomics and Evolution (PaleoEvo)

Introduction

The PaleoEVO team is conducting research in the field of paleogenomics to understand the evolution of modern polyploid species from the analysis of ancestral genomes. The first approach lies in the computer modeling of ancestral genomes of several million years from the comparison of modern genomes, referenced to as paleogenomics in silico (cf Macro-evolution illustration below). The second approach consists of sequencing the DNA from fossil remains of ancestral species extinct since several thousand years, referenced to as paleogenomics from ancient DNA (see Micro-evolution illustration below). The third approach consists in studying on a few generations the evolution of synthetic polyploids under constraints, referenced to as experimental evolution (cf Neo-evolution illustration below). Decoding the genome of the ancestors of modern polyploid species makes it possible to highlight the genomic mechanisms that contributed to their diversification and adaptation to environmental constraints. From a point of view of applied research, the paleogenomics work makes it possible to transfer acquired knowledge on models to species of agronomic interest, referenced to as translational research.

Scientific Objective: tracing ancestral genomes to investigate mechanisms driving post-polyploidy species adaptation.