Team Leaders: Nicolas Pollet and Aurélie Hua-Van

Keywords:

• Symbiotic and holobiotic interactions
• Processes of genome evolution
• Selfish genetic elements
• Gene network modelling
• Molecular evolution
• Genotype-phenotype interactions

Internships

• Master 2 Internship Understanding the link between transposable element and transcriptome evolution of the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. (2023)
• Master 2 Internship Amplification dynamics of transposable elements in experimental populations mimicking horizontal transfer. (2023)
• Master 2 internship Effects of glyphosate exposure on the gut microbiota of common toad tadpoles (2022)

Thematics

Genomes are by nature highly polymorphic. The results from genomics have highlighted the natural variability between genomes and their component parts at different levels: cells, organisms, populations and species. This variability shows the clear evolutionary impact of the dynamic nature of the various genetic elements, and many projects aim to provide new knowledge about the underlying processes.

We focus on the study of the evolution of the genome through intra- and interactions: horizontal transfers, polyploidization, the evolution of mobile genetic elements, genetic conflicts, evolutionary genetics and molecular evolution. To answer the questions raised, we develop and combine a wide range of approaches that are both traditional and very recent in molecular, genomic and transcriptomic genetics, bioinformatics, mathematics and experimental evolution.

Two important new approaches are the study of horizontal transfers and of symbiotic interactions. Another will be the expansion of our activities to include transversal projects linked to applied research by studying the genomes of edible insects and by assessing the potential risks linked to the use of insects in pest control.

Topics:

• Dynamics and evolution of the genomes: Impact of selfish genes (Transposable elements, meiotic distorter) and polyploidization.
• Interactions within genomes, especially at the scale of gene networks which are part of phenotype realisation or help developmental or physiological or of the cellular cycle processes to be set up.
• Genetic and epigenetic factors in evolution and adaptation.

Approaches:

Compared biology, Genomics, Population genetics, Theoretical biology. All use the tools of molecular biology and of bio-informatics, and lead to the making of scripts and specific tools for research/sequence analysis (molecular evolution, phylogeny) and for high throughput data treatment.

Team members

Antoine Branca, Associate Professor, University paris-Saclay (Orsay) Interactions between insects, and plant/insect interactions Preferred models: Insects.	Pierre Capy, Emeritus professor, University paris-Saclay (Orsay) Transposable element mariner. Preferred models: Drosophila
Isabelle Clavereau, Assistant engineer, CNRS Preferred models: Amphibians and microbes	Jean-Luc Da Lage, Senior Researcher, CNRS Molecular evolution Preferred models: Drosophila and other animals
Cathy Dias, Assistant engineer, ANR Preferred models: Drosophila	Jean-Bernard Emond, Engineer, CNRS Preferred models: Amphibians, Computers and Servers
Jonathan Filée, Senior Researcher, CNRS Transposable elements, virus, genome evolution Preferred models: Insects, giant viruses.	Clément Gilbert, Senior Researcher, CNRS Horizontal transfer and transposable elements Preferred models: Insects, arthropods, and other animals.
Aurélie Hua-Van, Professor, University paris-Saclay (Orsay) Team leader Molecular evolution and dynamics of transposable elements in genomes Regulation of transposable elements Preferred models: Drosophila and other insects	Thibault Laffargue, PhD Student, University of Guyane, IRD Preferred models: Drosophila Supervisor: Aurélie Hua-Van
Arnaud Le rouzic, Senior Researcher, CNRS Theoretical approaches of genome evolution. Dynamics of transposable element. Evolvability of gene networks Preferred models: Any kind of in silico species	Laurent Legendre, Engineer, CNRS Preferred models: Aquatic vertebrates
Zhen Li, PhD Student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”. Joint PhD programme Université Paris-Saclay and China Scholarship Council. Preferred models: Amphibians Supervisor: Nicolas Pollet	Catherine Montchamp-Moreau, Emeritus Research Director, CNRS Genetic conflicts, molecular bases and evolutionary history of sex-ratio Preferred models: Drosophila
Ksenia Mozhaitseva, PhD Student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Preferred models: Cynipidae wasps Supervisor: Antoine Branca	Héloïse Muller, PhD Student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Preferred models: Insects, arthropods, and other animals. Supervisor: Clément Gilbert
David Ogereau, Engineer, CNRS Meiotic distorter. Genetic mapping and polymorphism using DNA markers. Comparative transcriptomics (DNA Chips, real time). Genomics (MinION sequencing) Preferred models:	Apolline Petit, PhD Student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Preferred models: In silico organisms Supervisor: Arnaud Le Rouzic
Nicolas Pollet, Senior Researcher, CNRS Team leader Impact of polyploidization on structure and complexity of the genome Holobiotic interactions Preferred models: Amphibians.	Emilie Robillard, Engineer, CNRS Transposable element dynamics in Drosophila melanogaster populations. Experimental evolution. Drosophila microbiome Preferred models: Drosophila
Siddharth S. Tomar, PhD Student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Preferred models: In silico organisms Supervisor: Aurélie Hua-Van and Arnaud Le Rouzic

Former members

Researchers:

• Jean David, Emeritus CNRS research director
• Jean-Michel Rossignol, Emeritus Professor University Paris-Saclay
• Sylvie Aulard, Assistant Professor Sorbonne University (Pierre et Marie Curie – P6)
• Nicole Chaminade, CNRS Assistant Engineer
• Jacques-Deric Rouault,CNRS Researcher

Post-Docs:

• Jean-Tristan Brandenbourg, Engineer on genomics of transposable element in drosophila.
• Pierre Gérard, Post-doctoral researcher on ANR SexChroDrive. Genetic dissection of sex chromosome meiotic drive in Drosophila simulans. Currently: Assistant Professor at AgroParisTech
• Michele Schiffer, CNRS Post-doctorate fellow. Evolutionary systematics of drosophildae. Currently working at The University of Melbourne with Professor Ary Hoffmann. The effect of cold stress on hsp expression in drosophila.
• Anna Popkova, CNRS Post-doctorate fellow. Candidate genes for the sex-ratio segregation distortion.
• Cécile Campagne, Engineer on the ANR project TRANSBIODIV. Neutral and functional trans-specific biodiversity: theoretical developments and quantification on model organisms. Molecular polymorphism, phylogeography, molecular basis of adaptation.
• Michel Cazemajor, researcher on the ANR project SELMULTILOC. Population genetics of the sex-ratio segregation distortion system.

PhD Students:

• Joseph Guilliet Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Supervisor : Jonathan Filée
Vincent Loiseau PhD student, Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Study of mechanisms and frequency of virus-mediated horizontal transfers of genetic material between animals. Supervisor : Clément Gilbert. PhD obtained on 2020, september 21
• Andreas Odorico Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Evolution of gene regulatory networks: theoretical models vs. empirical data. Supervisor : Arnaud Le Rouzic PhD obtained on 2019, december 12
• Cécile Courret Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants”, University Paris-Saclay Molecular bases of the genetic conflict caused by sex chromosome segregation distortion in Drosophila simulans. Supervisor : Catherine Montchamp-Moreau. PhD obtained on 2019, december 2 Currently: Post-doctoral position in USA
• Maryem Bouallegue Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants” University Paris-Saclay/University of Tunis. Supervisor : Pierre Capy Currently: Assistant Professor in Tunisia
• Estelle Rünneburger Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants” (Paris-sud 11 University) Evolution des réseaux de gènes. Causes et conséquences de l’évolution du phénotype. Supervisor : Arnaud Le Rouzic PhD obtained on 2016
• Bastien Saint-Léandre Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants” (Paris-sud 11 University) Regulation of transposable elements via the piRNA pathway: Differences between male and female germlines and consequennces on transposition dynamics. Supervisor : Pierre Capy and Aurélie Hua-Van. PhD obtained in 2016 Currently: Post-doctoral position in Lausanne
• Quentin Helleu Doctoral School “Structure et Dynamique des Systèmes Vivants” (Paris-sud 11 University) Cartographie génétique d’éléments distorteurs chez Drosophila simulans. Supervisor : Catherine Montchamp-Moreau. PhD obtained in 2015 Currently: MNHN Assistant Professor
• Thibault Scalvenzi Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University). Supervisor: Nicolas Pollet
• Héloïse Bastide Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University).Evolutionary history of sex-ratio segregation distortion in Drosophila simulans”. Population molecular polyporphism, phylogeography. Supervisor : Catherine Montchamp-Moreau. Currently : Assistant Professor at University Paris-Saclay
• Delphine Legrand PhD student, Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University). .Phylogeography and evolution of drosophila species of the melanogaster subgroup in the Indian Ocean archipelagos. Molecular Polymorphism, phylogeography, molecular basis of adaptation Currently: CNRS researcher
• Lucie Fouvry Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University).Molecular basis and evolution of sex-ratio segregation distortion. Supervisor : Catherine Montchamp-Moreau. Currently High school teacher.
• Gabriel Da Luz Wallau Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – BRAZIL Evolution and horizontal transfer of mariner element in drosophila sequenced genomes. Supervisor : Pierre Capy/Elgion Loreto (Brazil) Currently: Researcher in Brazil
• Thibaud Boutin Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University). Long term invasion dynamics of transposable elements, a theoretical approach. PhD obtained in 2010, september 16 Supervisor: Pierre Capy
• Sophie Picot Doctoral School Genes, Genomes, Cells (Paris-sud 11 University). Activity of the transposable element mariner in natural populations of Drosophila simulans Supervisor: Pierre Capy & Aurélie Hua-Van PhD obtained in 2008