. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. Resident Research R47 rates of DNA sequence evolution. Our research explores the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms that shape these characteristics of endosymhiont genomes, with a focus on mutualistic endosymbionts ol insects and obligate pathogens of animals. One aim of this lah is to differentiate the effects of genetic drift, directional mutation pressure, and natural selection on molecular evolution of symbiotic and free-living bacteria. Our primary approach has been to compare patterns of DNA sequence divergence at
. The Biological bulletin. Biology; Zoology; Biology; Marine Biology. Resident Research R47 rates of DNA sequence evolution. Our research explores the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms that shape these characteristics of endosymhiont genomes, with a focus on mutualistic endosymbionts ol insects and obligate pathogens of animals. One aim of this lah is to differentiate the effects of genetic drift, directional mutation pressure, and natural selection on molecular evolution of symbiotic and free-living bacteria. Our primary approach has been to compare patterns of DNA sequence divergence at homologous loci across symbiotic and related free-living bacterial species. These comparisons have revealed a strong effect of genetic drift and directional mutationul pressure on sequence evolution in Buchneru iil'liitlicola, the vertically transmitted endosymbiont of aphids. compared 10 its close free-living relative. Escherichia coli. Recently, our molecular phylogenetic analyses have shown that Buchnera lacks horizontal gene transfer that is typical of many free-living bacterial groups. On-going and future work will explore the molecular evolution of other insect endosymbionts in the gamma-3 Proteobacteria, including the obligate bacterial associates of carpenter ants (Camponotus). We also employ full genome comparisons to identify genes that have been lost in small endosymbiont genomes, and to compare patterns of genome reduction in mutualistic and pathogenic lineages. Of particular interest is the substantial loss of proof-reading and DNA repair loci from several symbiont genomes, which may elevate mutational rates and biases in these species. Staff Wernegreen, Jennifer, Assistant Scientist Degnan, Patrick. Research Assistant Lazarus. Adam. Research Assistant BioCurrents Research Center The current structure of the BioCurrents Research Center (BRC) comprises the core support facility and three independent laboratories, as well as a number of affiliate endeavors where the
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Keywords: ., bookauthorlilliefrankrat, booksubjectbiology, booksubjectzoology
