M. Eric Schranz homepage
M. Eric Schranz
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam, in the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) in the Department of Experimental Plant Systematics (EPS).
IBED
EPS
University of Amsterdam
Educational and Professional Background
Assistant Professor - University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2007-present
Post-doc - with Tom Mitchell-Olds, Duke University, Durham, NC USA 2005-2006
Post-doc - with Tom Mitchell-Olds, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany 2003-2005
Ph.D. - with Tom Osborn, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA 2003
B.S. - Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYUSA 1995
Comparative and Ecological genomics in the Brassicaceae and Cleomaceae:
My research aims to elucidate evolutionary processes and patterns using comparative genetic and genomic analysis within and between the plant families Brassicaceae and Cleomaceae. I focus on three interrelated mechanisms of evolutionary change: ancient whole-genome duplications (WGDs), large scale genomic rearrangements and divergence of gene function. My leading conceptual questions pertain to how genetic and genomic changes have contributed to the diversification of plant characters.
To address when WGDs occurred during the evolution of the Brassicaceae and Cleomaceae, I have done comparative sequence analysis of Cleome spinosa BACs and ESTs. My work established that the two families have undergone independent WGD events. To examine genome dynamics of the Brassicaceae, I helped develop a comparative synteny and genomics framework. The system is based on the synthesis of colinearity analysis of several Brassicaceae species in comparison to A. thaliana by comparative genetic linkage mapping and comparative chromosome painting. I and colleagues have subsequently used the system to unravel the genome evolutionof Boechera stricta using genetic mapping, partial whole genome sequencing and chromosome painting. Additionally, I have studied the phenotypic evolution of apomixis (asexual reproduction) and secondary defense compounds (glucosinolates) in Boechera. My work established the genetic identity of an aberrant chromosome (B-chromosome) in Boechera and shown that it does not carry a dominant asexual factor. Using Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis, I have identified a single locus controlling glucosinolate production and levels of insect herbivory. At the UvA, we are working to identify genes involved in flooding tolerance in Rorippa species and floral color and scent regulatory genes in Cleome.
Watch a short animation about Boechera genome evolution
Watch a short animation about Arabidopsis thaliana genome evolution
BMAP 20 genome grant funded!
Current PhD and Master students
Turkey, 2011. In the Ihlara Valley, collecting annual Aethionema species. Shown: Melis Akman, Erik van den Bergh, Setareh Mohammadin and Johannes Hofberger (missing Yorike Hartman, Jaeyun Heo and Rogier Kleine).
