| Affiliations: | Genetics & Genomics Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Adekola Owoyemi
ludtson@tamu.edu Ecology and Conservation Biology |
| Faculty Mentor: | Claudio Casola, Ph.D |
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Meeting Times:
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T 4:00PM – 5:00PM |
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Team Size:
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5 |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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earning co-authorship; learning bioinformatics; exploring how genes evolve and predicting their possible function
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Team Needs:
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Basic data analysis; problem-solving; good communication; interest in and understanding of scientific literature; critical thinking; and good interpersonal skills. |
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Description:
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De novo genes (DNGs) represent novel protein-coding genes evolved from ancestrally non-coding DNA sequences. Although DNGs have been discovered recently, they are increasingly recognized as fundamental sources of genetic variation and evolutionary innovations across species. For example, DNGs contributed to the evolution of the human brain. DNGs are especially common in plants, and it has been proposed that they play a major role in plant-environment interactions. However, our present understanding of DNG frequency and function remains very limited. The primary goals of this project consist of identifying and determining the function of DNGs in plant genomes using a combination of machine learning, comparative genomics, and genetic approaches. The results of this project will inform key genetic components of plant genomes, with a major impact on the origin of diversity and novel traits in both crops and wild plants. |