Molecular ecology and evolution; research areas

Bodø University College, AFN

Steinar Johansen (Professor), Truls Moum (Professor), Tor Erik Jørgensen (Techn), Bård Ove Karlsen (PhD student), and Kenneth Mjelde (Master student).

Molecular markers. We aim to investigate several types of molecular markers that can be applied in different settings in marine ecology. The molecular marker of choice depends on the biological system, ecological problem, taxonomic level, and current available information in the scientific literature. Current main focus is on the mitochondrial genome and the application of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence (mitogenomics) to resolve evolutionary relationships at various taxonomic levels. We are in the process of sequencing the complete mitochondrial DNA from a number of key species representing several codfish and flatfish families, as well as representative individuals of proposed populations and stocks.  Mitogenomic analyses have great potential in resolving taxonomic structures due to the large set of characters (ca 17 000 bp) available from each individual. Research so far confirms that each individual of e.g. Atlantic cod or Walleye pollock has a unique set of genetic characters in their mitochondrial genomes. Other molecular markers of interest are PanI (pantophysin) gene SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism), nuclear microsatellites, and MHCII allele variability. Theses markers are all located at Mendelian chromosomes, are suitable for specific applications within ecological problems, and thus will be a powerful complement to mitogenomics. 

Marine taxonomy. A number of controversies still exist concerning the phylogenetic relationships among fishes, as well as other marine organisms. A taxonomic system that matches the phylogeny (based on genetic relationships) is essential in ecosystem investigations, in management, or in aquaculture.  Furthermore, assessing genetic relationships within and between populations and stocks of a defined species gives valuable information about genetic structuring, and therefore highly relevant in aquacultural breeding.  Our current focus is to investigate taxonomy of two main orders of fishes; the Gadiformes (codfishes, including the Atlantic cod) and the Pleuronectiformes (flatfishes, including the Atlantic halibut). Here, mitogenomics are being applied in phylogenetic analyses due to the excellent resolution. 

Regulatory RNAs. Non-messenger RNAs play important roles in gene regulation, in protein synthesis, as well as in cellular RNA modification and processing. Among these RNAs are the microRNAs, which is a newly discovered class of non-coding regulatory RNA encoded by almost all metazoan genomes. We aim to identify and investigate regulatory non-messenger RNAs in key species of fish (e.g. Atlantic cod, halibut), especially microRNAs that interfere with mitochondrial functions. Aspects of molecular evolution, molecular structure, and cellular function are central in this respect.