RAJIV GANDHI CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY (RGCB)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
PhD Program in Molecular Ecology
Uncovering how populations of a species differ genetically and ecologically is important for understanding evolutionary processes by examining the distribution of genetic diversity and population connectivity through gene flow. Both genetic and ecological divergence can lead to reproductive isolation and speciation. For most tropical frogs, however, there is no information about their genetic population structure, genetic diversity within the species, presence of genetic lineages, or even species status and variability in ecological requirements.
The overall goal of the RGCB Molecular Ecology Program is to investigate the genetic differentiation of local populations of endemic amphibian populations in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. These goals will be targeted focusing on population genetics of the amphibians of the Western Ghats by developing novel microsatellite markers that will allow investigation of the genetic relationships and diversity among and between different populations and species. Apart of seeking to identify genetically unique lineages and signatures indicative of genetic problems (i.e. inbreeding, loss of variability due to drift), we will also seek to resolve the phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships between different taxa and populations with the aid of mt DNA sequence and microsatellite data. In addition, the degree of population differentiation attainable due to neutral evolutionary processes (i.e. drift, migration) as measured by FST-index in neutral microsatellite loci will be compared to that obtained from the previous study on genus Indirana by our group. This is will allow assessing the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection as determinants of population differentiation in ancient endemic amphibians of Western Ghats. Another aspect of our study will include focusing on the species diversity of amphibians of Western Ghats. This will be accomplished by DNA barcoding of all the known species and assessing cryptic diversity, if any. This database will be used in future for the studies on host defense peptides.
Applications are invited from eligible candidates with a strong interest in molecular ecology to apply for admission to the PhD program in the laboratory of Dr Sanil George. Eligibility details and procedures for admission to RGCB's PhD programs are explained at http://www.rgcb.res.in/phdprogram
Applications may be submitted to the Director, RGCB. The last date for receiving complete applications is March 31, 2013
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