Joakim Näsvall research group

Vår forskning fokuserar på en väldigt grundläggande fråga i evolutionsbiologi; hur nya gener bildas och hur de evolverar. En ny gen kan uppkomma i ett genom på tre olika sätt (Fig. 1)

Dissecting Evolution

Experimental Approaches to Unraveling Drivers and Mechanisms

We investigate the drivers and mechanisms of evolution using experimental evolution, whole-genome sequencing, and genetic techniques in bacterial model systems.

One project focuses on factors influencing the evolution of new genes, specifically what factors determine whether a gene that evolves a new function will retain its original function (becoming bifunctional) or duplicate and diverge into functionally distinct genes.

Another project examines the co-evolution of the translation machinery and codon usage, and points towards the speed-accuracy trade-off in protein synthesis as a strong driver in the process. We also study how horizontal gene transfer impacts the evolution of novel functions.

Group members

Research leader: Joakim Näsvall

Publications

Collateral toxicity limits the evolution of bacterial Release Factor 2 towards total omnipotence

Abdalaal, Hind; Pundir, Shreya; Ge, Xueliang; Sanyal, Suparna et al.

Part of Molecular biology and evolution, p. 2918-2930, 2020
- DOI for Collateral toxicity limits the evolution of bacterial Release Factor 2 towards total omnipotence
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Mutational Pathways and Trade-Offs Between HisA and TrpF Functions: Implications for Evolution via Gene Duplication and Divergence

Lundin, Erik; Näsvall, Joakim; Andersson, Dan I.

Part of Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020
- DOI for Mutational Pathways and Trade-Offs Between HisA and TrpF Functions: Implications for Evolution via Gene Duplication and Divergence
- Download full text (pdf) of Mutational Pathways and Trade-Offs Between HisA and TrpF Functions: Implications for Evolution via Gene Duplication and Divergence
Synonymous mutations in rpsT lead to ribosomal assembly defects that can be compensated by mutations in fis and rpoA

Knöppel, Anna; Andersson, Dan I; Näsvall, Joakim

Part of Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020
- DOI for Synonymous mutations in rpsT lead to ribosomal assembly defects that can be compensated by mutations in fis and rpoA
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Selection for novel metabolic capabilities in Salmonella enterica

Warsi, Omar M.; Lundin, Erik; Lustig, Ulrika; Näsvall, Joakim et al.

Part of Evolution, p. 990-1000, 2019
- DOI for Selection for novel metabolic capabilities in Salmonella enterica
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Experimental Determination and Prediction of the Fitness Effects of Random Point Mutations in the Biosynthetic Enzyme HisA

Lundin, Erik; Tang, Po-Cheng; Guy, Lionel; Näsvall, Joakim et al.

Part of Molecular biology and evolution, p. 704-718, 2018
- DOI for Experimental Determination and Prediction of the Fitness Effects of Random Point Mutations in the Biosynthetic Enzyme HisA
- Download full text (pdf) of Experimental Determination and Prediction of the Fitness Effects of Random Point Mutations in the Biosynthetic Enzyme HisA
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