Evolution in microsatellite DNA: testing models of mutation in an Australian marsupial [ 2002-01-01 - 2006-07-31 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Nancy FitzSimmons (Chief Investigator) ,  Dr Stephen Sarre (Chief Investigator)

Brief description Evolution in microsatellite DNA: testing models of mutation in an Australian marsupial. We aim to compare mutational events between microsatellite loci that vary in their exposure to recombination. We are able to do this because of a remarkable finding that Australian brushtail possums have multiple occurrences of a single microsatellite repeat element within the Y-chromosome and among autosomal loci. We will compare variation between the Y-linked and non Y-linked loci within and among individual possums and use those comparisons to distinguish between recombinant and non- recombinant mutational mechanisms. These data will provide new insights into the mutational mechanisms that drive variation in these most important molecular markers.

Funding Amount $141,000

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects

View this grant in the ARC Data Portal