Ian Henderson

How does somatic evolution in long-lived oak trees facilitate environmental adaptation.

Research Area

I have a long-standing interest in plant genome organisation and evolution. English Oak (Quercus robur) can live for >1,000 years and must continue to adapt over periods of considerable climate change. During tree development, there is a high potential for the genome, and epigenome, to evolve along the branches. However, the rates of genome evolution within ancient trees, how this is influenced by the environment, and the relevance for ecological adaptation remain unclear. As seed (acorns) form de novo on tree branches, there is also a high potential for transmission of new genetic and epigenetic variants to the next generation. This means individual trees have the potential to produce genetically distinct progeny as a consequence of intra-individual divergence. Therefore, measuring genome evolution within ancient trees is vital to understand their biology, diversity and will additionally inform how to conserve and maintain them. As ancient trees can experience significant change to ecological change over their life-span, this work will reveal how intra-individual genetic and epigenetic diversification facilitates continued adaptation to the changing environment and climate.

Project Interests

Projects could include study of ancient trees from across the UK in diverse ecological settings, sampling leaf material from multiple branches, extracting genomic DNA and long read sequencing. Using these sequence data, they will assemble the genomes, and profile DNA methylation, along the branches of individual trees. The genomes will then be analysed for mutational patterns, and genome evolution, within and between trees, and relate this to their ecological context and adaptation. The student will also develop resources that communicate information on tree longevity and genome evolution to the public, via science festivals or partnering with educational institutions or charities.