Daniel Berner

Group Leader, Zoological Institute, University of Basel.

Current research

I am fascinated by the mechanisms underlying biological diversification (adaptation, speciation). To shed light on these mechanisms, my research combines information on how selectively different environments favor phenotypic divergence with knowledge about the genomic underpinnings of this divergence. I aim for an integration of diverse analytical approaches, including manipulative field and laboratory experiments, phenotypic investigations, marker-based mapping using high-throughput sequence data, and computer simulations. My empirical research uses primarily threespine stickleback fish inhabiting ecologically contrasting habitats.

For Master project opportunities see here

Team

• Tanja Brechbühl, MSc: Genetic basis of stickleback adaptation to acidic environments
• Telma Laurentino, PhD: Adaptation genomics in stickleback
• Quiterie Haenel, PhD: Adaptation genomics in stickleback

 

Former members

• Alicia Welti, MSc: Genetic basis of morphological diversity in stickeback
• Mirjam Bissegger, MSc: Sexually antagonistic selection across the stickleback genome
• Matthias Ammann, MSc: Adaptation and selection coefficients; sexual reproductive isolation in stickleback
• Dario Moser, MSc, PhD: Phenotypic plasticity and components of reproductive isolation in lake-stream stickleback
• Anja Frey, MSc: Development of an amplicon sequencing approach enabling targeted genomic analysis
• Marius Roesti, MSc, PhD: Population genomics of adaptive divergence in stickleback
• Benjamin Kueng, MSc: The genomics of lake-stream stickleback divergence in the Lake Constance basin

 

 

 

Curriculum vitae

Present	Group leader, University of Basel, Switzerland
2008 - 2012	Postdoctoral fellow with Walter Salzburger, University of Basel, Switzerland
2006 - 2008	Postdoctoral fellow with Andrew Hendry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
2001 - 2005	PhD in Ecology with Christian Körner and Wolf Blanckenhorn, University of Basel, Switzerland
1995 - 2000	Studies in Geography, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Research grants

2016	Swiss National Science Foundation, Project funding (grant 31003A_165826)
2014	Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel (support of a population genomics project with Andrew MacColl)
2014	Swiss National Science Foundation, International Short Visit for a population genomics project with Katie Peichel (grant IZK0Z3_154188)
2013 - 2016	Swiss National Science Foundation, Project funding (grant 31003A_146208)
2011	Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel (support of a population genomics project)
2009 - 2012	Swiss National Science Foundation, Ambizione fellowship (grant PZ00P3_126391/1)
2008 - 2009	Research Fund, University of Basel
2007 - 2008	Roche Research Foundation
2007 - 2008	Stiefel-Zangger Foundation, University of Zürich
2006 - 2007	Swiss National Science Foundation, prospective researcher fellowship (grant PBBSA-111216)
2006 - 2007	Janggen-Pöhn Foundation