Research projects
- Gene expression in lichens. Silke Werth (PI), Dr. Tania Chavarria Pizarro contributed substantially to grant writing. DFG grant, 2022-2023. We assess the impact of colonization by lichenicolous fungi on fungal and algal gene expression in lung lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria).
- Gene expression in lichens. Silke Werth (PI), co-applicant: Martin Grube. Austrian Science Fund FWF, project grant, 2017-2019, transferred to DFG. We study gene expression in microbiome-compromised and natural lichen specimens to explore the question how important the microbiome is for lichen stress tolerance. Furthermore, we assess the impact of lichenicolous fungi on fungal and algal gene expression in lung lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria).
- Gene expression and phenotypic traits of lichen symbioses: Impact of genome and long-term acclimatization. Silke Werth (PI), Ólafur S. Andrésson (PI), co-applicants: Zophonias O. Jónsson, Arnar Pálsson. Icelandic Research Fund IRF, project grant, 2017-2019. We assess the relative importance of a) long-term acclimation to site, b) origin of sample and c) genotype on the mycobiont's gene expression under thermal stress using Peltigera spp. as a study system (P. membranacea, P. britannica, P. leucophlebia).
- Population genomics of a lichen symbiosis along climatic gradients. Silke Werth (PI), co-applicants: Ólafur S. Andrésson, Zophonias O. Jónsson. Icelandic Research Fund IRF, project grant # 141102-051. 2014-2016.
- Metapopulation dynamics in hierarchical dynamic landscapes. Tord Snäll (PI), co-applicants: Orvo Ovaskainen, M. Drechsler, Silke Werth (2012) Vetenskapsrådet, Sweden.
- Lichen population genetics and genomics (LICHENOMICS, # 302589) – Gene expression, neutral and adaptive genetic variation in natural populations of Peltigera membranacea. (fellow: Silke Werth, host: Ólafur Andrésson, Univ. of Iceland). Marie Curie Actions – Intra-European Fellowships (IEF). 2012-2014.
- Landscape genetics and genomics of Peltigera membranacea: Neutral and adaptive variation in natural populations (PI: Silke Werth, co-applicant: Ólafur Andrésson, Univ. of Iceland). Icelandic Research Fund IRF, project grant # 120247021. 2012-2014.
- Sequencing of the three cultured partners of the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria and the sequencing of the transcriptomes from the natural tripartite lichen under selected and controlled conditions. (Silke Werth: co-applicant; PI: Ólafur Andrésson, University of Iceland). DOE-Joint Genome Institute. Since 2012.
- Geographic genetic patterns of the lace lichen in Pacific west coast: An indicator species for conservation. National Geographic Society (Silke Werth: co-applicant, contributed to grant writing, PI: Victoria L. Sork). 2006-2007.
- Comparative phylogeography of a lichen, its photobiont and its major carrier tree species. Swiss National Foundation Fellowship (Silke Werth: PI). 2005-2007.
- Geographic genetic patterns of the lace lichen along the Pacific west coast: An indicator species for conservation. UCLA Academic Senate Grant (Silke Werth: contributed to grant writing; PI: Victoria L. Sork). 2005.