Uncovering new genetic variation for coast redwood adaptation with variation graphs
Name of applicant
Tharsika Vimala
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution
University of California, Berkeley
Amount
DKK 900,000
Year
2024
Type of grant
Internationalisation Fellowships
What?
This project aims to overcome current challenges of studying the genetics of California’s coast redwoods, known as the tallest trees on Earth. I will develop new methods suited for genetically complex species like the coast redwoods to accurately identify and describe genetic variation crucial to coast redwood’s climate adaptation to support reforestation and conservation efforts.
Why?
Coast redwoods are vulnerable to climate change due to their dependency on coastal fog. They have existed for millions of years, but the genetic drivers of their adaptation remain poorly understood. A complete reference genome is lacking, as their genome is too large and complex to correctly assemble. This stands in the way of accurately identifying genetic variation in coast redwoods.
How?
I will develop a variation graph-based methodology to use instead of classic reference genomes for identifying new genetic variants. I will construct a genetically representative variation graph and use it to genotype a large dataset of DNA sequences from coast redwoods. This approach will enable me to accurately identify and describe new genetic variants in Coast Redwoods.