Population genomics and biogeography of cyanobacteria
Earth is inhabited by billions of prokayotic species. However, drivers of such incredible diversity are
mostly enigmatic. Recent advances in sequencing techniques allowed to gather datasets which can
effectively describe population diversity using whole genome data. This project will be focused on an
analysis of speciation using next generation sequencing of cultured species and/or single cell genomics
of uncultured samples. The model system will be selected cosmopolitan cyanobacterium (e.g.
Microcoleus). Data will be analyzed using tools of population genomics, phylogeny and biogeography.
The PhD thesis project will be carried out at the Department of Botany of Palacký University Olomouc
at the laboratory of Prof. Aloisie Poulíčková. The laboratory has a long-term experience in algal and
cyanobacterial research with wide range of collaborative laboratories in Europe and USA, which can be
utilized for obligatory stay abroad (University of North Florida, USA; Uppsala University, Sweden
etc.).
Supervisor: Petr Dvořák, Ph.D.
Co-supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Aloisie Poulíčková, CSc., Department of Botany, Palacký University
Olomouc
Contact: 585 634 080, email: p.dvorak@upol.cz
Start: September 2019 or as negotiated
Grant resource: GAČR (Unraveling genomic and geographical diversification during speciation in
cyanobacteria; principal investigator P. Dvořák)