Hybrids - Chances and Challenges of New Genetic Combinations

Despite the enormous importance of hybridization processes in biology, central questions on fundamental aspects of hybridization are still unknown. This project investigates selected characteristics and patterns of hybridization by using an interdisciplinary approach in which different areas of biology, from molecular biology to ecology, collaborate with climate research. Our focus is on three plant and four animal model organisms: On the plant side, we are analysing hybrids of the genera Spartina, Populus and Arabidopsis, on the zoological side hybrids of flea beetles (Altica), carp fish (Cyprinidae), lemurs (Microcebus) and door snails (Charpentieria).

The research priorities can be assigned to three core topics: Hybrid distribution, hybrid performance and hybrid genomics, which are analysed in close cooperation. For this reason, the PhD students funded in this project will be supervised and supported by a PhD committee consisting of three university lecturers from different fields of biology. An intensive discussion of the results obtained takes place in the respective departmental seminars, the internal seminar series on hybrids as well as in the regular retreats of the entire project group. 

Hybrid group at the retreat on Sylt, November 2019 (Photo: UHH/Stirn)

The members of the Hybrid consortium during the retreat in Pevestorf, 2020 (Photo: UHH/Stirn)