Plant ecological genomics
Our main goal is to understand fundamental evolutionary processes generating and maintaining diversity in nature. We primarily focus on evolutionary consequences of whole genome duplication, a massive mutation that is ubiquitous among plants. We also address the genomic basis of repeated plant adaptation to challenging environments such as alpine stands and toxic soils. We combine sampling of the extensive natural variation in plant populations with a wide range of genomic and ecological approaches. To build our hypotheses, we use comprehensive knowledge of natural variation of our study systems, primarily wild members of the Arabidopsis model and its relatives.
Filip Kolář
team leader
I am generally interested in the evolution of plant diversity. By combining extensive fieldwork with cytogenetic, genomic and ecological approaches, our team addresses evolutionary consequences of whole genome duplication (polyploidization) in natural populations of Arabidopsis and several other plant species.Our team
We welcome new applicants for bachelor, master and PhD theses as well as spontaneous applications for self-funded postdoc stays. More information about the topics offered and about the junior talent projects here.
Benátská 2, CZ - 128 01, Prague, Czech Republic
News
3. - 6. 4. 2025 Whole group gathered for the traditional event of writing retreat. This time we went to remote village Osvinov in Northern Bohemia where Aesculapian snake conservation takes place.
1. 4. 2025 Bety Poštulková was awarded the Prof. RNDr. Jaroslav Heyrovský Award for her master's thesis. She is now continuing her research as a PhD student in our group. Congratulations, Bety!
25. 2. 2025 New paper on mixed-ploidy populations in Cardamine amara is published. Paolo Bartolic discovered that diploid and tetraploids can hybridize, with triploids occurring rarely in the wild—supporting the triploid bridge hypothesis.
24.12.2024 New paper on adaptive trans-specific polymorphism in Arabidopsis is out! We found that autotetraploid A. arenosa and A. lyrata share adaptive haplotypes which are assembled from SNPs sourced from a broad trans-specific polymorphism throughout the Arabidopsis diploids. Great collaboration with Rosi Schmickl and Levi Yant
This is our group during October lab-meeting when we were almost complete. Miloš Duchoslav was present, only he was hiding behind the camera.
17. - 20.10.2024 Joint retreat with group of Polina Novikova and friends
This time we went to Karlstadt am Main to socialize, work, and party hard with our close collaborators. We hiked the valley of the river, we planned new papers at the river bank, new connections crystalized. Everything was fabulous, see below...
4.10.2024 Group hike to Brdy
Several brave members of plantecogen climbed up to a former military area and mountain range called Brdy. They all seemed grateful and devoted to the team leader who was behind the camera ;). I was not there, but I know I missed a lot. Jakub
5.8.2024 New paper on whole-genome duplication in Mimulus
How do tetraploid plants establish themselves among their diploid parents? Susnata Salony, Joselin Clo, Mario Vallejo-Marín, and Filip Kolář investigated ditch-growing Mimulus guttatus in the Shetland Islands to find an answer to this question. While postzygotic barrier between cytotypes appear to play an important role, the situation is more nuanced. Read more
30.6.2024 New paper on polyploid genomics in Nature Communications
New paper lead by Tuomas Hämälä and Levi Yant on structural variation in Cochlearia is out! We found out that whole genome duplication leaves detectable footprints of relaxed purifying selection but also possible climatic adaptation in structural variants in polyploid genomes. Read more
10.6.2024 Our review on gene flow between ploidy levels is out
Our new review on mechanisms, rates and genomic consequences of gene flow across ploidy barrier is out. Whole genome duplication sometimes does not create perfect barrier and we reviewed what it means for speciation and adaptation in polyploid complexes. Great work by Paolo, Nelida and Emma! Full article
9.4.2024 Prestigious award to our alumnus
Majda Bohutínská received a prestigious John Maynard Smith prize given to outstanding young evolutionary biologist by the European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) for her work in predictability in evolution. Majda did her PhD with us focusing on factors driving repeated alpine adaptation in Arabidopsis. Congratulations!
1.4.2024 New lab member
Violette Doublet joined our lab to work on convergent adaptation to whole genome duplication in different mixed-ploidy species. Violette has a backrgound in forest ecology and then worked with Brassicaceae copy number variation in a group of Pascal Milesi in Uppsala. Welcome !
25.3.2024 New student grant project to our group
Terka Koberová received a student grant (GAUK) to investigate the links between serpentine adaptation, heavy metal adaptation and whole genome duplication in Balkan Noccaea - a new plant system addressed in our group that is renowned for its exceptional ability to hyperaccumulate heavy metals. Congratulations!
22.3.2024 Workshop in population genetics of polyploidy
Back from 4th year of the amazing workshop on polyploid popgen we organize with Patrick Meirmans, Alison Scott and Marc Stift. This time with big help from our lab members (and also alumni of this workshop) Sonia and Joern, Thanks to all participants for great fun and inspiration!
10.3.2024 Group retreat in Kvilda
We are just back from a lab retreat in amazing spring-bursting Sumava Mts. We focused on sharing feedback on manuscripts currently in prep in the group ... and of course also hiking and socializing.
10.2.2024 Awards at Student conference
Proud to announce success of our lab members and alumni! Sonia Celestini and Alena Voltrová won prizes at Student conference in plant biology in Vienna. Great job!
I'm not prone to moralize
In scientific doubt
On certain facts that Nature tries
To puzzle us about,
For I am no philosopher
Of wise elucidation,
But speak of things as they occur,
From simple observation.
James Whitcomb Riley
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Benátská 2, CZ - 128 01, Prague, Czech Republic