Diego
CORTEZ

This project has two main parts. The first investigates the evolution of dosage compensation mechanisms in reptiles, focusing on sex chromosome differentiation. It aims to understand how non-coding RNAs (like the recently discovered MAYEX) regulate sex chromosome expression in iguanian lizards. Using genomic analyses (synteny, expression, epigenetic marks, chromatin structure), the study will explore the conservation of these RNA systems across species and how the X chromosome sequence is specifically recognized for dosage compensation. The second part applies conservation genomics to endangered seabirds: the Blue-footed Booby and two shearwater species. Using population genetics, it will quantify genome-wide diversity and inbreeding, identify genomic regions with high genetic load, and detect signals of local adaptation linked to environmental conditions to inform conservation strategies.