This project aims to investigate the genetic diversity and population-level heterogeneity of newly isolated sheet-forming choanoflagellates closely related to Choanoeca flexa. By comparing strains collected from geographically distant regions—including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Atlantic—we will assess the extent of genetic variation within and between populations and determine whether genetic differentiation is associated with geographic origin. This comparative framework will provide insights into the diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships of C. flexa-like choanoflagellates across their geographic range.
I plan to perform whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of single-isolated colonies or established cultures of different strains to correlate genetic composition, the mode of multicellular organization, and environmental parameters.
