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Bartoš Group

Our group is unrevealing the structure of the plant genomes at sequence level using NGS, molecular and cytogenetic approaches and bioinformatic tools. We helped to expand the knowledge of genome organization and function of many species, mainly cereals. Recently, our interest is shifting to the species possessing so-called „B“ or „supernumerary“ chromosomes with the aim to uncover the evolution and biology of this mysterious component of plant genomes.

Our main research interests

Sorghum and maize B chromosomes
B chromosome nondisjunction and elimination
sequencing technologies

Our group operates Sequencing Core Facility at the Institute.

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News

2021/08/06: The reference sequence of maize B chromosome was published in PNAS (Link). Our work helped to reveal a cis factor involved in mechanism underlying its non-Mendelian inheritance. Good job everyone!
2021/04/03: Our group played a major role in revealing the reference sequence of the maize B chromosome. It has been released at MaizeGDB (Link).
2021/10/02: Radim and Lucie attended Training school in Proteomics and Protein-Protein Interaction (INDEPTH). Thank you for having us!
2021/05/02: Radim and Jan significantly contributed to the identification of gene TaMSH7-3D, responsible for Ph2 phenotype in wheat. The results were published in Nature Communications (Full text).
2021/04/02: Barbora Zpěváková started to work on her bachelor thesis in our group. She is going to study B chromosome gene polymorphisms in maize landraces. Good luck!
2021/22/01: Radim successfully finished his PhD studies concerning Physical mapping of Ph2 region in hexaploid wheat! Congratulations!
2021/18/01: Natálie Harnádková is going to work on her bachelor thesis as part of our group. She is going to develop PCR markers specific to B chromosomes of Sorghum purpureosericeum. Her work will simplify screening for B-positive individuals!
2021/15/01: A bachelor student Zdena Kašparová is a new member of our team. She is going to study Irregular transmission of the B chromosome in Sorghum purpureosericeum. We are looking forward to see the results.

Vacancies

Ph.D. position

Nondisjunction of the B chromosome in maize

We are looking for a new colleague to join our team as a PhD student. The student will be involved in an ongoing project focusing on the mechanism of the B chromosome nondisjunction in maize. The main focus of the work will be the detailed analysis of candidate genes controlling the nondisjunction process and the identification of their interaction partners. Candidates should have a background in molecular biology. Experience in bioinformatic analysis is an advantage.

For further details see the official announcement. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2024.

Group members

Jan Bartoš Ph.D.

Nicolas Blavet Ph.D.

Iva Ilíková Ph.D.

Miroslava Karafiátová Ph.D.

Kateřina Holušová Ph.D.

Mahmoud Said Ph.D.

Mgr. Lucie Hloušková (Šimková)

Mgr. Petr Urbiš

Mgr. Tereza Bojdová

Research assistant

Mgr. Magdaléna Stejskalová (Malurová)

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Former members

Pavel Solanský	Radim Svačina	Martina Bednářová

Projects

Collaboration with CIMMYT on the study of diversity and evolution of maize . . .

Jan Bartoš Ph.D.

Aim of the proposed project is analysis of B chromosome diversity in maize (Zea mays). We will accumulate novel data using molecular, cytogenetics, sequencing and bioinformatics approaches, which will contribute to our knowledge about protein-coding genes on B chromosome and its evolution. The effect of B chromosome on phenotype of host plant will be also evaluated. Specific aims of the project are: screening of available germplasm bank accessions for . . .

B chromosome evolution in the tribe Andropogoneae

Nicolas Blavet Ph.D.

B chromosomes are supernumerary dispensable chromosomes. They have a non-Mendelian way of inheritance and individuals from a same population may or may not carry B chromosomes. Their number is varying due to the non-disjunction during the meiosis. It is commonly accepted that B chromosomes have evolved from the normal set of chromosomes (so called A chromosomes). Nevertheless, a few is known about their structure and the elements behind the non . . .

Physical map of Ph2 region in hexaploid wheat

Jan Bartoš Ph.D.

Polyploid species had to develop mechanisms of precise chromosome pairing and segregation to ensure genomic stability. This diploid-like behaviour of chromosomes in polyploids is mainly regulated genetically. Pairing of homologous chromosomes in allohexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is controlled by „pairing homoeologous“ Ph1 and Ph2 genes. In ph1 mutant plants, pairing among homoeologous chromosomes was observed. In ph2 mutant plants, . . .

Development and application of molecular genetic methods for the . . .

Jan Blažek Ph.D. (VSUO)

The aim of the project is to achieve a significant acceleration and efficiency of the cherry breeding process using marker assisted selection. To achieve this goal, a complex of methods using the latest knowledge of molecular biology and genomics will be used. These will primarily include characterization of breeding gene resources using the new generation sequencing (NGS). The obtained data will be used to identify markers in conjunction with . . .

Unusual light management strategies of Photosystem II in Norway spruce

Roman Kouřil Ph.D. (Palacký University)

Land plants are constantly exposed to varying light conditions. In plants acclimated to high light intensity, the amount of light harvesting proteins (Lhcb) of phosystem II (PSII) is reduced due to down-regulation of Lhcb3 and Lhcb6 proteins. Recently we have revealed an unexpected absence of these proteins in Pinaceae and Gnetales (Kouřil et al. 2016, New Phytologist). Surprisingly, we have also found indications that Lhcsr protein could be present in . . .

Development of systems for fruit crops genotyping and their implementation . . .

Jana Čmejlová Ph.D. (VSUO)

This project aims to genotype apple trees using a previously developed system of SSR markers with implementation to the practice of VŠÚO, Fytos and the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture (ÚKZÚZ). Moreover, a similar system will be developed and implemented for european plum, sweet cherry and pear trees. The project also aims to develop a methodology for fruit crop genotyping based on partial genome sequencing and amplicon sequencing.

The role of Lhcb8 protein in the organization and function of the light . . .

Roman Kouřil Ph.D. (Palacký University)

Our current knowledge about the organization and function of photosystem II (PSII) is primarily based on studies of plants grown under optimal conditions. However, in plants facing environmental stress, PSII becomes affected by various stress-induced proteins, whose physiological function is not fully understood. An example of such protein is Lhcb8, a poorly characterized light-harvesting antenna with putative photoprotective function. A recent discovery . . .

Elimination of the B chromosome in Sorghum purpureosericeum

Miroslava Karafiátová Ph.D.

B chromosomes (Bs) are dispensable chromosomes found in the genomes of animals, plants and fungi. Typically, their transmission to the progeny is not governed by Mendelian inheritance. They are maintained in the population by accumulation mechanisms (e.g. non-disjunction). In plants, the incidence of Bs is generally stable in all parts of one plant. In some species, however, the disappearance (elimination) of B chromosomes from the roots or aerial parts . . .

Publications