Group Slotte uses genomic tools to test predictions of evolutionary theory, with particular emphasis on the evolution of plant mating system variation and supergenes.
We are broadly interested in how variation in the effective recombination rate and mating strategies affect the efficacy of selection, and in the nature of adaptive genetic variation. To address these general questions we study evolutionary transitions from outcrossing to predominant self-fertilization in flowering plants and the evolution of supergenes.
Our work often involves analyses and simulations of large-scale population genomic and gene expression data sets, but we also use classical genetic mapping techniques to dissect the genetic basis of reproductive trait variation, and conduct experimental plant work in the greenhouse and field. We are currently mainly studying wild flaxseed species (Linum), and crucifer species (e.g. Capsella, Arabis alpina).
Group members
Group managers
Tanja Slotte
Professor
Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences
Harnessing evolutionary transitions, machine learning, and genomics to decode pollen evolution and unravel sexual selection mechanisms shared across kingdoms
Supergenes are clusters of genes that can maintain favorable trait combinations because they are inherited as a unit. Studying supergenes allows us to address fundamental questions on the origin and evolution of multi-trait adaptations and is therefore of broad significance.
There is currently a pressing need to adapt crops to future climates by breeding drought- and heat-resilient varieties. Wild crop relatives harbor untapped genetic variation for breeding but remain underutilized due to the lack of efficient methods to identify beneficial variants in collections.
News
Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences
The Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences invites applications for a four-year PhD position in the framework of the project “Harnessing evolutionary transitions, machine learning, and genomics to decode pollen evolution and unravel sexual selection mechanisms shared across kingdoms” led by Prof. Tanja Slotte in close collaboration with co-investigators Prof. John Fitzpatrick, Prof. Catarina Rydin, and Dr. Allison Hsiang at Stockholm University.
Each year, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation awards research grants in the fields of medicine, science, and technology to research projects that are judged to have such high scientific potential that they are likely to lead to future scientific breakthroughs. Each project is evaluated by a group of international experts in the respective field.
The importance of Arctic methane emissions for the climate, how matter is formed and broken down, evolutionary shifts in the plant kingdom, and new effective methods for producing bioactive substances that will meet future needs for medicines and advanced electronics. These are just a few examples of basic research at Stockholm University that has received funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
