Environmental Genomics
Reports and key findings
The current understanding of biological systems is rapidly changing in ways previously unimagined.
The Environmental Genomics programme funded 28 projects between 2000 and 2006 which has increased our knowledge of the interaction between genome-level processes and the environment.
Below are some of the findings from these projects.
Origins of biodiversity
Results from this programme have advanced our understanding of complex adaptations such as:
- reproductive timing in Soay sheep
- flowering time in thale grass in relation to climatic variation
- timing and duration of dormancy in nematodes.
We have shown that:
- the rate at which different combinations of genes in the genome can be generated varies, regulating the rate of adaptation
- pieces of DNA that are capable of 'jumping' around in the genome play a role in adaptation
- the structure of the genome plays a significant role in establishing new species.
In detail: Origins of biodiversity
Environmental health – pollution
Genomics researchers have looked at the potential impact of particular chemical pollutants on ecosystems and:
- explored the effects of oestrogenic compounds found in water which modify the sex of fish. This has broad implications for conservation of wild species as well as human health
- determined the specific biological impacts of varying levels of terrestrial pollutants using earth worms.
Environmental health – disease
This programme has explored how environmental conditions affect disease susceptibility in host organisms.
- Studying fruit flies, scientists found that different suites of genes are expressed in organisms depending on environmental extremes such as temperature.
- Researchers focused on the Great Island virus which infects seabirds. Like the influenza virus, different strains regularly swap whole genes.
In detail: Environmental health
Genes and Ecosystem Services
The natural environment provides a range of ecosystem services, including: food, medicine, climate regulation, water purification, soil regeneration and nutrient cycling. Bacteria provide many of these ecosystem services ranging from the breakdown of toxic pollutants to nutrient cycling.
Researchers have identified specific groups of genes involved in these activities, making it possible to better manage the bacteria's impact on various ecosystem services.
In detail: Genes and Ecosystem Services
Glossary
A glossary of terms found in this section is available.
Case studies
The following case studies are linked to this research programme. Full details of each case study are available from NERC's Science Impacts Database.
New human blood substitutes and fatty acids from marine worms Synopsis: Researchers studying the genes that let marine worms keep track of the time are now growing the worms to produce aquaculture feeds and even human blood substitutes.