Seaweed mating rituals: investigating sex-related proteins using algae as models

Advisor: Susana Coelho

Location: Max Planck Institute for Biology

The brown algae (seaweeds) are a group of multicellular eukaryotes that have a distinct evolutionary history compared with animals and plants, as they have been evolving independently for over 1 billion yr. The diversity of reproductive and life cycle features of the brown algae offers unique opportunities to characterize the proximate mechanisms and evolution of sex. Our group is using genetic, cell biology, and genomic approaches in the model brown alga Ectocarpus to better understand the events underlying sexual reproduction. Ectocarpus reproduces via the fusion of male and female gametes that have near-similar sizes. After (gametic) sex determination, the mating ritual involves production of a sex-pheromone by female gametes, followed by pheromone-guided attraction of male gametes, gamete-gamete recognition and gamete fusion. The aim of the PhD project is to use genetic, cell biology and genomic approaches to investigate sex-chromosome-located transmembrane glycoproteins involved in gamete recognition and gamete fusion in Ectocarpus and other brown algae. Results form this project are expected to offer valuable insights into the fertilization mechanisms and sex determination processes, contributing to a deeper understanding of the evolution of sex in a broad taxonomic context.

More information about the research of Susana Coelho and a selection of recent publications can be found on her faculty page.

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Application deadline: 27 January 2025