Project
Evolution and genetics of ageing
Ageing is the largest contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Using experimental evolution on an outbred population of Drosophila melanogaster we produced lines of flies that live longer and remain healthier with age1. Currently we are using these populations test evolutionary theories of ageing by searching genetic variants that underlie the population differences in lifespan and other life history traits such as development time, activity and fecundity.
Aim
The first steps in understanding the genetic differences between long- and short-lived populations of flies have been taken by sequencing the genomes of all evolved populations2. Furthermore, some variants that differ in frequency between the evolved populations have been shown to alter lifespan dramatically. Our further aim is to understand how these genetic variants (1) can help us to understand the evolution of ageing, (2) whether these variants play a role in natural populations and (3) whether the variants determine not only lifespan, but also correlated fitness traits such as development time and fecundity.
Approach
The understanding of ageing can be improved by performing more detailed observations whereby lifespan and other traits related to ageing are measured. This data combined with gene expression3, genetic variant, and / or family-based analyses (such as a parent-offspring regression) can be put into a theoretical context4 to further understand why ageing evolves.
During this thesis project, students can potentially carry out one or multiple types of analyses, namely: gene expression analyses, life-history assays, DNA-sequencing, experimental evolution, DNA/RNA-extraction, statistics, bioinformatics and theoretical modelling.
We are open to applications for thesis projects! We have different thesis topics available.
Contact: joost.vandenheuvel@wur.nl
Dr. Joost van den Heuvel
prof. dr. Bas Zwaan