Daniel Liesner

In my postdoc project, I am researching sexual transitions in large brown algae commonly called kelps (Laminariales). In kelps, sex occurs in the haploid stage and is controlled by a U/V sex chromosome system. In some individuals, however, morphological traits do not correspond to their genetic sex. By combining morphological characterization, next-generation sequencing and population genetics, I aim to identify the genetic causes, molecular mechanisms and evolutionary forces driving switches in sexual systems of kelp.