Positions
PHD IN EVOLUTIONARY GENOMICS
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
A PhD position (4 years) is available in the group of Evolutionary Genomics coordinated by M.Mar Albā at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain) in the framework of the National Research Plan 2009-2012. The group is located in the recently built Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, an international Institute with over1,000 researchers working on different aspects of molecular biology and biomedicine.
Title: Mechanisms of emergence of novel genes in mammalian genomes
Application deadline: November 30 2009
Starting date: September 1 2010
The formation of novel genes in genomes is strongly linked to the emergence of new functions. A fraction of these novel genes is formed by gene duplication, but another fraction originates by alternative mechanisms. This last fraction comprises the so called orphan genes, which are genes for which no homologues can be found in other species. The number of orphan genes in any genomes is intriguingly high and many of these genes have an unknown origin. We have recently shown that a large portion of the primate orphan genes contain sequences derived from primate-specific transposable elements, suggesting that these elements play an important role in the emergence of new genes and molecular functions. In addition, we have found evidence that a number of the orphan genes are likely to have originated de novo from pre-existing non-coding genomic sequences (Toll-Riera et al., 2009, Mol. Biol. Evol. 26:603-612). The project will identify novel genes formed at different time periods during the evolution of mammals, investigate how they have originated, and assess the role of adaptive evolution in their retention.
The candidate should have a strong academic record and hold an MSc at the PhD starting time. An interest in sequence analysis and evolution is required. Programming skills will be a benefit.
To apply send an informal email to Mar Albā (malba@imim.es), including your CV, a short statement of your research interests, and the names of two references.