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Seeking ANTSR: Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms and Evolution of Sex Determination in Hymenoptera

  • Germany
  • Posted 4 months ago
  • Applications have closed

GenEvo

Deadline: July 15, 2024

Supervisor: Qiaowei (Miya) Pan

Co-Supervisor: Hugo Darras, Claudia Keller Valsecchi, René Ketting

Scientific Background

Sex determination mechanisms are remarkably variable across animal species, yet research remains scarce on primary sex determination genes beyond model organisms. Haplodiploidy is a sex determination system in which females are diploid, and males are haploid. This system has evolved repeatedly and occurs in approximately 12% of animal species, including all Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies), many of which possess significant ecological and economic value. Despite the prevalence of haplodiploidy, its molecular mechanisms have been only described in three taxa, each employing distinctly different operational machinery: honey bees, Nasonia parasitic wasps, and the Argentine ant. In honey bees,a multiallelic gene governs sex determination through differential protein binding affinity (Otte et al. 2023).In contrast, in Nasonia parasitic wasps, sex is determined via maternal imprinting (Zou et al. 2020). Our recent work reveals that a hyper-polymorphic region determines sex through allele complementarity in the Argentine ant: heterozygous embryos develop into females, while homozygous and hemizygous embryos develop into males (Pan et al. 2024). Heterozygosity at this locus correlates with higher expression of ANTSR, a gene that specifies a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcript and triggers female development. Interestingly, in contrast to the master sex-determining genes of honey bees and Nasonia that are evolutionarily nascent, the hyper-polymorphic region containing ANTSR is ancestral to all modern ants and likely emerged before ants, bees, and stinging wasps diverged from other Hymenoptera. The regulatory mechanism responsible for the high expression of ANTSR in heterozygotes and the mode of action of this lncRNA are yet unknown.

Project description

The goal of this PhD project is to explore the molecular regulation and evolutionary dynamic of ANSTR, an lncRNA mediating genetic sex determination in Argentine ants. The recent discovery of ANSTR adds to a growing body of evidence that lncRNAs contribute to various essential developmental processes (Valsecchi et al. 2021, Wittkopp et al. 2024), but its evolutionary history and mode of action are yet unclear.

In this project, you will employ comparative genomics approaches to capture the functions and evolutionary dynamics of ANTSR and the hyper-polymorphic region it is associated with among Hymenoptera. In parallel, you will use functional genomics, molecular, and proteomics techniques to investigate the mechanisms of this newly discovered master sex regulator (Bopp, Saccone, and Beye 2014; Wexler et al. 2019). This project will provide the first insights into how sex determination evolves over evolutionary time scales in haplodiploid systems.

What you will learn

During this project, you will become proficient in techniques related to epigenomics (RNA-seq, CUT&Run, and CUT&Tag), tissue culture, insect rearing, genome engineering, microscopy, and evolutionary genomics. You will learn how to independently develop ideas, pursue a research project and communicate your results in oral and written form. This includes developing skills such as critical thinking, working and collaborating in an international environment, project management, scientific writing and public speaking during international conferences. Besides the training program and courses of the Genevo RTG, we will support you in your career planning.

Your qualifications

We are seeking a student with a keen interest in epigenetics, developmental biology, and evolutionary biology. The ideal candidate is eager to combine wet lab work, imaging/microscopy, and bioinformatic approaches (pre-existing training in these areas is not necessary). Previous experience with ants or other insects is a plus. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about advancing this project in an international and multidisciplinary environment. If you are a team player with a high degree of motivation and passion for science, we encourage you to apply to join our team.

Publications relevant to this project

Otte M, Netschitailo O, Weidtkamp-Peters S, Seidel CAMl, Beye M (2023) Recognition of Polymorphic Csd Proteins Determines Sex in the Honeybee. Science Advances 9 (40): eadg4239. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg4239

Pan Q, Darras H, Keller L (2024) LncRNA Gene ANTSR Coordinates Complementary Sex Determination in the Argentine Ant. Science Advances 10(22): adp1532. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp1532

Keller Valsecchi CI, Basilicata MF, et al. (2021) RNA Nucleation by MSL2 Induces Selective X Chromosome Compartmentalization. Nature 589 (7840): 137–42. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2935-z

Wittkopp N, Jesus Domingues AM, Ketting RF (2024) miR214 Regulates Sex Determination through Gsdf in Zebrafish. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.01.592007

Zou Y, Geuverink E, Beukeboom LW, Verhulst EC, van de Zande L (2020) A Chimeric Gene Paternally Instructs Female Sex Determination in the Haplodiploid Wasp Nasonia. Science 370 (6520): 1115–18. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb8949

Thank you for your interest in our PhD programme.

The new call for the programme is now open.

Application Process

1) Online registration

Please register here and provide us with your contact details along with the details of at least two referees. Your referees should be senior scientists, such as group leaders or professors at either a university or research institute, who know you well.

Once you have completed the registration form, your nominated referees will receive a personalised link to the standard reference form and upload page. You will be notified by email when a reference letter is submitted.

We will not consider applications until we have received 2 reference letters. Therefore, please ensure that you contact your referees in time.

Information required for registration:

  • Personal data, including your current university or institute affiliation and contact details
  • Contact details of your referees

2) Online application form

Once you have registered, you will immediately receive a link to your personalised online application form by e-mail. The link is located at the end of the guidelines on how to apply. The application form will ask you to provide the information and documents listed below.

In the first step, you need to choose a password. It will allow you to access your application again in case you do not finish all steps of the application at once. Texts can then be pasted into the form as required. The application must be completed in English. 

Information required for application (click here to download an example):

  • Details of your degrees (BSc, MSc)
  • Details of any other post-graduate degrees, awards, honours or distinctions
  • Details on any research stay abroad during studies
  • Details of past research experience
  • If applicable, a list of your publications (PubMed format) and your conference contributions (title of presentation or poster, date and location of the conference)
  • Which groups you are interested in working with; up to 5 may be selected.
  • A motivational statement describing your interest in GenEvo and your chosen groups as well as your scientific goals (maximum of 300 words)

You will be asked to upload the following documents in PDF format:

  • Curriculum vitae (max size 4 MB)
  • A single file (max size 4 MB) containing:
    – University studies as far as completed (including certificates of qualification and transcripts of records)
    – English language test certificate (not mandatory, only if available)
    – High school certificate (if available)

If degree forms and records from your university or high school certificates are not available in English, we do not require authorised translations for this application. If you encounter any technical problems, please contact the GenEvo coordinator (Email).

3) Interview days

Short online pre-interviews are currently scheduled for 18 – 26 July 2024. About 30 shortlisted students will then be invited for on-site interviews from 09 – 10 September 2024 to Mainz. Costs for accommodation and travel will be covered by GenEvo. Starting date will be 1 January 2025.

You must apply by 15 July 2024 in order to be considered.

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