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| HOME PAGE | Strategic University Programme at the University of Bergen: |
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Applications of Molecular Techniques in Systematic Biology |
| University of Bergen |
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| Norwegian Research Council |
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Systematic biology is concerned with taxonomy, the classification and identification of living organisms, phylogeny, the evolutionary history of life, and biogeography, the analysis of distributional patterns in a historical and ecological perspective. It often also includes autecological studies and the study of the mechanisms of evolution. Systematics provides a basis for most other biological work and is essential in applied forms of biology, such as biological control and nature conservation. |
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Bergen has a long tradition in most aspects
of biological systematic research, but systematists have predominantly
been concerned with morphological studies. The main objective of the research
programme is to broaden the horizon of systematics at the University of
Bergen by developing additional competence within molecular techniques
and the utilization of molecular data in systematics. A foundation
of methodological knowledge will be built through three initial projects,
one in botanical and two in zoological systematics. The bench
work of these projects is being carried out in the new Department of Molecular
Biology. Neophytes in molecular techniques thus benefit strongly from the
interaction with experienced molecular biologists.
Post-doctoral researchers, Ph. D. students, and M. Sc. students, who will either be working within the three initial projects or with related subjects, will gradually be included in the research group to create a 'critical mass' of people working with the same tools and dealing with many of the same conceptual problems. We expect that our progress will encourage other researchers in botany and zoology the University of Bergen to employ molecular techniques and that a synergy between researchers working with disparate organisms will emerge which crosses traditional departmental boundaries. |
| People | The programme was proposed by Lawrence R. Kirkendall (project leader), Department of Zoology, Stefan Ekman, Department of Botany, and Endre Willassen, Department of Zoology in cooperation with Dag E. Helland, Department of Molecular Biology. Presently cooperating partners at UiB are Per Magnus Jørgensen and Tor Tønsberg, Department of Botany, Johan Lillehaug, Department of Molecular Biology. In addition, we are collaborating with Brian Farrell, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Mats Wedin and Alfried Vogler, Natural History Museum, London. |
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projects and affiliated research |
H.L.Andersen: A multigene
approach to the evolution and phylogeny of the Micareaceae (Lecanorales,
lichenized Ascomycota).
P.R.Berg: The genetic population structure of Coccotrypes dactyliperda and C. carpophagus within Macronesia (Canary Islands and Madeira) (using these species as model organisms to study “within-island and between-island genetic variation”). S.Ekman: Phylogeny and evolution in the Lecanoraceae sensu lato (lichenized Ascomycota) using ribosomal DNA sequences. S.Ekman & T.Tønsberg: Phylogenetic relationships of the sterile form genus Lepraria. S.Ekman & P.M.Jørgensen: Phylogeny of the Pannariaceae. L.R.Kirkendall: Systematics and evolutionary processes in tropical Scolytinae (Insecta: Coleoptera). C.Printzen: Phylogeography of lecanoralean lichens. E.Willassen: Molecular systematics on Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera), particularly Diamesinae . B.Jordal: Evolution and phylogeny in inbreeding and outbreeding dryocoetine bark beetles. K.Meland: Phylogeny, evolution and biogeography of the mysid genus Pseudomma (Crustacea, Peracarida, Mysidacea), and a phylogenetic analysis of the Mysidacea tribe Erythropini. |
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| Page edited by Endre Willassen | ||
| 22 March 1999 | Last update 31 May 2000 |