Microbial Evolution & Genomics

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION:
1996-1999 Dr. Scient in Genetics. Division of General Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway. Title of thesis: Genetic variation in perch (Perca fluviatilis) and mackerel (Scomber scombrus) assessed by DNA markers: implications for phylogeography and patterns of mtDNA evolution. Dissertation 7th of May 1999.
1994-1995 Cand. Scient. in Genetics (equivalent MSc). Division of General Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway. Title of thesis: Genetic variation and mutations in perch (Perca fluviatilis); implications for evolution and colonisation history.
1990-1993 Cand. Mag. in Biology (equivalent BSc). Division of General Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Oslo Norway, University of Oslo, Norway.

MEMBERSHIPS/AWARDS:

1998 - 1999 Representative for Dr. Scient students on the board of the Department of Biology, University of Oslo.
1999 - Referee for Molecular Ecology, Trends in Genetics, Genetics, Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics, Journal of Fish Biology, Nucleic Acids Research, Journal of Bacteriology, Science, Journal of Fish Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Gene, Molecular Biology and Evolution, BioTechniques.
2004 - Faculty member of Faculty 1000 .
2005 - Member of ISME (International Society of Microbial Ecology).
2008 - 2012 9,213,550 Nkr YFF fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council.
2001- 1000 USD$ scholarship from Keyston Symposia to attend the meeting: Microbe Interactions with Their Environment: Genome Perspectives. Taos, New Mexico, March 6 - 11, 2001.
2000 - 2003 35,000 $ per annum as postdoctoral fellowship from The Medical Research Council of Canada (now Canadian Institute for Health Research).
2000- 54000 NKr. overseas fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council.
1999- 118,000 NKr. overseas fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council.
1996 – 1999 Dr. Scient fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council. (1.1.99 - 1.5.99 funded by the Department of Biology as compensation for teaching courses during Dr. Scient fellowship from the Norwegian Research Council).
1998- 3000 NKr. from the “Collets Legat”.
1997-7000 NKr. from the “Fiskeri Nœringens Kvinne Fond”.

RESEARCH INTERESTS: The focus of my research is lateral gene transfer (LGT) between and within Bacteria and Archaea. The Thermotogales are of particular interest, since the genome of Thermotoga maritima suggests that one quarter of its genes are of archaeal origin. In order to determine the level of LGT and recombination in Thermotoga, I have been using degenerate PCR and suppressive subtractive hybridization, as well as sequencing of lambda- and fosmid clones containing genes of interest such as rRNA genes. These experimental approaches are combined with detailed phylogenetic analyses. I have also been working with self-splicing group I introns that I discovered in the 23S rRNA of some Thermotoga strains. Presently we are working on isolating new Thermotogales strains for a MLST study to get information on population structure and biogeography of this bacterial group. We are also involved sequencing the genome of an additional Thermotogales strain, Thermosipho africanus. I am currently doing the phylogenetic and bioinformatic analyses of this genome. We recently identified, using a metagenomic approach, a new Thermotogales lineage which grows at cold temperatures and that we informally call ‘mesotoga’, and we are currently working with getting a isolate of this new genus characterized.To get information on the extent of LGT occurring among prokaryotes present in the environment, we have been sequencing rRNA-containing fosmid clones from fosmid libraries of DNA extracted from environmental samples. Phylogenetic trees of the ORFs encoded on these genomic fragments are compared to rRNA phylogenies. In addition to looking at environmental rRNA containing fosmid clones, I am also involved in projects where we are investigating distribution of environmental integrons and integron gene cassettes in different polluted and pristine environments.