ERC Starting Grant · 2018
From Evolution to Clockworks: Unravelling the molecular basis of circalunar clocks
Circalunar clocks are endogenous biological clocks, which allow organisms to time development and reproduction to lunar phase. They are common in marine organisms, but their molecular basis is still entirely unknown. Candidate gene approaches have failed so far. In the marine midge Clunio marinus (Diptera: Chironomidae), I can elegantly overcome this problem by exploiting an array of local genetic adaptations in circalunar timing. Through evolutionary analysis, QTL mapping and genome screens my group currently produces evidence-based circalunar candidate genes without any need for prior knowledge or assumptions. In this ERC proposal, I aim to take this work to the next level and identify…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.