Seminar: From alleles to phenotypes (and back): mechanisms of repeated adaptation in alpine Arabidopsis

Speaker: Magdalena Bohutínská, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague.

Abstract: In this talk, I will explore what studying repeated local adaptation can teach us about the mechanisms driving adaptive evolution. 

I investigate this topic using alpine adaptation in species within the genus Arabidopsis, closely related to the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Leveraging seven independent colonizations of alpine environments, I will show how evolutionary repeatability is closely tied to the genetic relatedness among lineages and discuss the underlying mechanisms behind this pattern. 

Furthermore, I will address whether pleiotropy—the ability of a single gene to influence multiple traits—acts as a constraint or a driver of adaptation. I study this question through the evolution of the phenylpropanoid pathway, which drives both the formation of pink alpine flowers and enhanced UV radiation protection in these plants.
 

This ad-hoc seminar open to all members of the University of Cambridge is organised by Tereza Maxerova (Cichlid Eco-evo-devo Group).  Please contact Tereza if you would like to meet with Magdalena to discuss research.