Studying non-model organisms through genomics: the example of threatened freshwater mussels

The application of genomic approaches is revolutionizing our understanding of the Tree of Life. By linking DNA variation with processes like diversification, adaptation, and survival, genomic resources provide powerful tools to unravel the biology and evolution of poorly studied organisms. Freshwater mussels, a fascinating and widespread group of bivalves, exemplify this potential. Despite often being overlooked, these organisms display remarkable biological and evolutionary traits and are among the most threatened taxa on Earth.

André Santos, PhD

André Santos completed his PhD in 2023 at Porto University and is currently a junior researcher at CIIMAR. His main research focus is the application of genomic resources, implemented through computational biology, to understand the evolutionary dynamics and adaptations of aquatic organisms, with a particular emphasis on freshwater bivalves.

In case of any questions, please contact CIIMAR’s Seminar team, Marta Monteiro, Miguel Semedo, & Paulo Oliveira, at seminars@ciimar.up.pt

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CIIMAR members can also access last seminars recordings through the LINK.