Evolution of sex chromosomes in Vertebrates: state of the art and future challenges

• Grant number: 23/15516-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: April 05, 2024
• End date: April 24, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
• Grantee: Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
• Visiting researcher: Tariq Ezaz
• Visiting researcher institution: University Of Canberra/Uc, Australia
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The evolution of sex chromosomes represents one of the most interesting topics in Evolutionary biology. The evolutionary dynamics of sex chromosomes have been revealed by recent studies employing cutting-edge cytogenetic and modern genomic tools on a variety of organisms; however, it is still not entirely clear how to best distinguish the distinct their functional evolution pathways in most lineages. Although there are some laboratories of excellence in Brazil dedicated to the study of sex chromosomes, almost none of them focus on Reptile model nowadays. Ww now represent one of the few laboratories in Brazil dedicated to the study of several Vertebrate species, applying high throughput sequencing techniques (cutting edge technology that revolutionized this research area). The Visiting Professor Tariz Ezaz is one of the leading scientists in this research topic, who works in a broad range of Vertebrate models, particularly Snakes and Mammals. He is currently hosting one phD student during his BEPE (2023/08116-0) fellowship. Dr. Tariq´s visit to the Laboratory of Fish Cytogenetics (LCP) at the UFSCar would provide a unique opportunity to enhance this research topic. Besides the research activities in collaboration within the ongoing projects on the LCP, he will participate in a workshop, where several researchers from different Sao Paulo State Institution with research groups on this thematic (e.g. UNESP Botucatu, UNESP Bauru, UNESP Rio Claro, UNICAMP), perform some field expedition, share and teach unique expertise in Reptile´s cell culture and perform several conversation with students, which would be a unique opportunity to share experiences and generate synergies. (AU)