Research Programmes
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Plant Cytogenomics
Doc. Mgr. Martin A. Lysák, Ph.D.
Research Group Leader
THEMATIC RESEARCH FOCUS
RESEARCH AREAS
- Karyotype and genome evolution in plants
- Chromosome rearrangements in speciation
- Whole-genome duplications (polyploidy)
- Chromosome structure
- Evolution of repetitive DNA
- Comparative and evolutionary phylogenomics
- Molecular phylogenetics
MAIN OBJECTIVES
- Investigation of the evolution of chromosome complements (karyotypes) in land plants.
- Understanding the role of chromosome repatterning and whole-genome duplication events in genome evolution and speciation.
- Analysis of chromosome and genome collinearity using methods of comparative molecular cytogenetics and sequence genomics.
CONTENT OF RESEARCH
The overarching objective of the Plant Cytogenomics group is to document, analyse and compare genome structure across the plant kingdom at different complexity levels:
- DNA level (genome size, repetitive elements),
- chromosomal level (karyotype evolution, chromosome collinearity),
- whole-genome level (genome collinearity, polyploidy),
- species level (molecular phylogenetic frameworks, paleobiogeography).
The primary focus of the research group is comparative cytogenomics in species and plant groups with contrasting genome features and well-documented phylogenetic frameworks. The prime target between 2011 and 2015 will be the mustard family (crucifers, Brassicaceae); possibilities of cytogenomic research in other angiosperm groups furnished with genomic resources and tools will be explored.
The research will concentrate on understanding (1) the role of chromosome rearrangements in reproductive isolation and speciation, (2) the impact of whole-genome duplication events on genome structure and cladogenesis, and (3) the evolutionary dynamics and chromosome organisation of repetitive elements.
KEY RESEARCH EQUIPMENT
PLANNED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
Technology Units
Plant cytogenomics
CURRENT RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
Current infrastructure includes equipment for molecular cytogenetics, standard laboratory equipment for molecular biology and plant cultivation.
MAIN PROJECTS
- Molecular and cytogenetic analysis of the giant genomes of Fritillaria (Liliaceae) (GA521/07/0284), Czech Science Foundation, 2007- 2009, M. Lysák, Masaryk University, J. Macas, Biology Centre AS CR, Ilia J. Leitch, Royal Botanic Gardens.
- Chromosome evolution in crucifers (Brassicaceae) revealed by comparative chromosome painting (IAA601630902), Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 2009-2012, M. Lysák, Masaryk University.
- Genome evolution in Cardamine allopolyploids of contrasting phylogenetic age (GAP501/10/1014), Czech Science Foundation, 2010-2012, M. Lysák, Masaryk University, K. Mummenhoff , Universität Osnabrück, K. Marhold, Charles University in Prague.
- Molecular basis of cell and tissue regulations (MSM0021622415), Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, 2005-2011, J. Fajkus, Masaryk University.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- FRANZKE, A., LYSAK, M., A., AL-SHEHBAZ, I., A., KOCH, M., A., MUMMENHOFF, K. Cabbage family affairs: the evolutionary history of Brassicaceae. Trends Plant Science. 2011, 16, p. 108-116.
- SCHUBERT, I., LYSAK, M., A. Interpretation of karyotype evolution should consider chromosome structural constraints. Trends Genet. 2011, 27, p. 207-216.
- MANDAKOVA, T., JOLY, S., KRZYWINSKI, M., MUMMENHOFF, K., LYSAK, M., A. Fast diploidization in close mesopolyploid relatives of Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 2010, 22, p. 2277-2290.
- MANDAKOVA, T., LYSAK, M., A. Chromosomal phylogeny and karyotype evolution in x=7 crucifer species (Brassicaceae). Plant Cell. 2008, 20, p. 2559-2570.
- LYSAK, M., A., BERR, A., PECINKA, A., SCHMIDT, R., MCBREEN, K., SCHUBERT, I. Mechanisms of chromosome number reduction in Arabidopsis thaliana and related Brassicaceae species. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2006, 103, p. 5224-5229.
EUROPEAN UNION
