Wenjie Mu
Centre: Departamento de Ciencias Agrarias y del Medio Natural (Grupo BIOFLORA)EPSHU
Institución: University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza (Spain)
Position: PhD Student
E-mail: wmu@unizar.es
Phone: 976762989
Profile: Click here
Personal statement
I received my Master’s degree in Ecology from Lanzhou University in 2022. Over the past few years, I have devoted myself to unravelling the scenario of plant speciation and adaptive evolution using comparative genomics and bioinformatics methods. Recently, I have studied the evolutionary trajectories of two related species of the genus Brachypodium. I am interested in the co-evolution of endophytes with their host plants. I expected to work with experienced computational experts at BIFI and to be provided with computational resources to support my project.
Researcher profile identity
Lateral gene transfer (LGT) refers to the transfer of genetic material between organisms by means other than the traditional ‘vertical’ transfer of DNA from parent to offspring during reproduction. This process has played a crucial role in the evolution of many species. However, the potential impact of plant-to-plant LGT on the genomic composition, functionality and presumed adaptive speciation of temperate pooids has not been investigated. The overall aim of our study is to increase knowledge of the potentially large scale of lateral gene transfer in pooids and how this mechanism has contributed to the generation of evolutionary novelty. We will investigate the frequency and impact of LGT in the subfamily Pooideae on a macroevolutionary scale using high-quality genomic resources and genomic methods.
Why my research is important
There are many important food crops in the temperate pooids, and a growing body of literature indicates that the origins, domestication and quality improvement of these crops have been extensively studied. Further breeding is becoming increasingly difficult using traditional genetic methods. Although lateral inheritance has occurred only occasionally, it can circumvent the limitations of traditional genetics and generate new adaptive traits. Our research will provide insights into the spread of LGT at the microevolutionary scale, the acquisition of novel functional genes, and its potential role in adaptive speciation. These findings could contribute to the advancement of crop breeding and improvement.
Know more about me and my research
– https://bioflora.web.bifi.es/research-team/profile10.
– https://bioflora.web.bifi.es/new-page.html
– https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=YNAuwEEAAAAJ&hl=en
