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Natural populations carry a wealth of molecular variation and there is increasing evidence that a large proportion of it is functionally diverged. Thus, understanding the functional implications if natural variation provides insight into the adaptation processes in natural populations.

After the first phase in the genomics projects, which were focusing on the sequencing of one genome for each species, the emphasis has now shifted to the genome wide characterization of natural variation. In particular the new generation of sequencing technology (454, Solexa etc.) is contributing to a hitherto unprecedented wealth of information about naturally occurring sequence variation. Nevertheless, the advances in cataloging natural variation are not matched with our advances in understanding the functional differences among the naturally occurring alleles.

Our PhD program aims to train a new generation of scientists that is able to deal with this new challenge. Compared to classic forward genetics, which typically isolated mutations with strong effects, naturally occurring alleles are expected to show only subtle differences in function, which may nevertheless have dramatic effects in nature. Hence, the analysis of natural variation requires new approaches and tools to understand the functional differences of naturally occurring alleles.

Further information about available projects and the research environment are provided at:

applications should be mailed by 19.9.2008 to Melanie Dusleag (melanie.dusleag@i122server.vu-wien.ac.at).