RHO · Recombination in haploid-diploid organisms

The RHO project represents a pivotal step in Dr. Cécile Molinier’s career, providing the essential training and interdisciplinary expertise needed to establish herself as an independent researcher in evolutionary genomics. Meiotic recombination is a key process shaping genome evolution, yet our current understanding is heavily biased toward diploid model species, leaving a critical gap regarding how life cycle architecture, particularly the alternation between multicellular haploid and diploid phases, influences recombination landscapes. Brown algae, with their exceptional diversity of haploid-diploid strategies and unique genomic architecture, provide an unprecedented opportunity to address this knowledge gap.This ambitious project combines population genomics, comparative analyses, and evolutionary modeling to: (RO1) produce the first high-resolution recombination maps and hotspot catalogues for key brown algal species; (RO2) explore how life cycle complexity and genome architecture shape the conservation and turnover of recombination landscapes across evolutionary timescales; and (RO3) develop theoretical models and simulations predicting how haploid versus diploid phase durations influence recombination dynamics and background selection.The fellowship offers synergistic training: hosted at ECOBIO (University of Rennes) under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Glémin, a leading expert in population genetics, and complemented by an associated partnership with Dr. Laurent Duret at LBBE, Lyon, a pioneer in recombination genomics. This combination provides unique and complementary expertise, allowing the fellow to acquire advanced skills in comparative genomics, fine-scale recombination mapping, and evolutionary modeling. By integrating new competencies with her existing expertise, the fellow will be ideally positioned to develop an innovative and independent research program on the interplay between life-cycle evolution, recombination dynamics, and genome stability.