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701-1676-01L 2 Credits DR , MSC D-USYS
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Genomics of Environmental Adaptation

Prerequisites: good knowledge in population genetics and some experience in using GIS and R is required.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:14:37

Abstract

This five-day winter school aims at teaching advanced Master students, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers on aspects of the genomics of environmental adaptation. It provides both theoretical background and hands-on exercises on major topics of contemporary environmental genomics such as signatures of selection, outlier analysis, genotype-environment associations, or GWAS.

Objective

The genomics of environmental adaptation is an evolving scientific field of both basic and applied interest. Researchers make increasing use of diverse methodological approaches built on concepts from ecology, evolutionary biology and population genomics. This five-day winter school introduces students to some major concepts and methods of environmental genomics, i.e., (i) how the environment and adaptive genetic variation are related and (ii) how signatures of genomic adaptation can be detected in natural populations. The winter school focuses on current methods and hands-on exercises, emphasizing an understanding of the underlying concepts and a discussion of benefits, limitations and pitfalls of environmental genomics. It is specifically aimed at the needs of advanced Master students, PhD students and early postdoctoral researchers.

Content

Topics: (1) Molecular markers and next generation sequencing techniques; neutral and adaptive genetic variation, genetic drift and genetic population structure. (2) Outlier analysis: concept, methodology and types of outlier analyses. (3) Environmental data: which environmental data are available and used to identify signatures of adaptation; data limitations; collinearity. (4) Genotype-environment associations (landscape genomics): concept and types of genotype-environment associations; false discovery rates; genomic offset. (5) Genotypes and phenotypes: GWAS; follow-up analyses.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Hand-outs will be distributed.

Literature

The course requires 4 hours of preparatory reading of selected papers on the genomics of environmental adaptation. The papers will be distributed by e-mail.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DR , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Full presence in the course is mandatory; grading will be according to a written report (8-10 pages) and according to student contributions during the course.

Registration & Places

Max Places
14

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Genomics of Environmental Adaptation
Blockkurs Zeit: 08:45 - 17:00 Ort: WSL EP D01
  • 05.02. - 09.02 Date 08:00-17:00 (Ex te rn)
40 h semesterly

Offered In