Speaker
Description
Phylogenomics has proven to be indispensable for inferring the eukaryotic tree of life. During the ongoing project, we are using Phylofisher software for proper ortholog detection, contamination removal, and reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships within the neglected eukaryotic major group Heterolobosea. This group contains free-living as well as facultatively parasitic microbial eukaryotes including genus Naegleria; Naegleria gruberi is an important cell biology model and N. fowleri is a facultative human pathogen responsible for fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). During the project, we also aim to trace origin of anaerobic enzymes present in Naegleria and their possible homologs in anaerobic lineages of Heterolobosea and to reconstruct energy metabolism of anaerobic lineages, to understand evolutionary changes that these linaeges underwent during transition to anaerobiosis.
