Back to search

FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

Evolution of chloroplasts: addressing the genomic processes behind acquisition of secondary and tertiary organelles

Awarded: NOK 4.6 mill.

Project Number:

166555

Application Type:

Project Period:

2005 - 2009

Funding received from:

The dinoflagellate chloroplasts (plastids) originate from eukaryotic photosynthetic endosymbionts. Rather than being derived from a single group (being monophyletic) the plastids of dinoflagellates are originate from several organism groups and are thus of polyphyletic origin. Most dinoflagellate plastids have 3 or more surrounding membranes. In the process of endosymbiosis gene have been transferred form the plastid genome (and from the endosymbiont nucleus) to the host nucleus - for example leading to a situation where only 10-11 genes are left on minicircles each with a replication origo and one gene on each. The dinoflagellates may have gone through more than one round with endosymbiosis, and it seems that one group has been particularly popular; nam ely the haptophytes. For each round of endosymbiosis genetic reminiscences from the endosymbiont are likely to be found in the nucleuses this project we aim at addressing some central issues in understanding the process of secondary and tertiary endosymbi osis. We do this by searching for plastid genes in the dinoflagellates nucleus (of the species Heterocapsa triquetra) using a BAC library. Information about the chloroplast genome sequence and EST sequences from H. triquetra are available. Finally we will investigate possible mechanisms for gene transfer, with particular emphasis on the role of marine dinoflagellate viruses.

Funding scheme:

FRIBIO-Biologi og biomedisin

Funding Sources