ERC Starting Grant · 2025
Orphan Genes as Drivers of Evolutionary Innovation in Microbial and Bacteriophage Systems
Orphan genes, unique to an organism or evolutionary lineage, are fundamental drivers of biological innovation. Representing up to 20% of genomes—from microbes to primates—these novel genes enable species-specific adaptations through their diverse functions. However, most orphan genes remain uncharacterized, and the evolutionary pressures governing their emergence are unknown. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for revealing how novel genetic material shapes evolution and biodiversity, particularly in microbial systems. The Genovation project aims to transform our understanding of gene birth and evolutionary innovation through three aims: 1. Evaluate the fitness impact of newly…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.