Thesis supervisor: Csaba Éva
co-supervisor: Adél Sepsi
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Department of Biological Resources, Centre for Agricultural Research, ELKH Abbreviation of location of studies: ELKH
Description of the research topic:
Meiosis is the specialised cell division that gives rise to the fertile gametes (sperm and egg cells). In early meiosis homologous chromosomes pair and exchange parts of their genetic information via crossing overs during the process of meiotic recombination. Recombination is key to genetic diversity and sexual reproduction as defects lead to incorrect chromosome segregation, loss of genetic information and infertility. How homologous chromosomes recognise each other, pair, and recombine in the meiotic cell nucleus is still enigmatic. The present project aims to investigate the role of early chromatin dynamics in the recognition of homologous chromosomes in cereals, with a focus on centromere activity with respect to the nuclear envelope. We build on our earlier findings showing a characteristic centromere activity in the vicinity of the nuclear envelope during early stages of double strand break repair and chromosome pairing. We will use reverse genetics supported by CRISPR Cas gene editing, molecular cytology, and high-resolution microscopy in barley (Hordeum vulgare) to reveal key determinants of centromere-nuclear envelope binding and investigate their role in homologous chromosome recognition and recombination.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: MSc in plant biology
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