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 classical empirical research system is threespine stickleback fish inhabiting ecologically contrasting habitats, but I have now initiated research on a butterfly species undergoing rapid range expansion.
For Master project opportunities see here
Team
- Olivia Bäbler, MSc: Genomic introgression across a steep ecological transition in stickleback fish
- Carlos Herrera, PhD: Developmental genetic basis of armor reduction in acidic-adapted threespine stickleback fish
- Nathalie Matthey-de-l'Endroit, PhD
- Lucas Blattner, PostDoc: Unravelling the genomic basis of rapid range expansion in Pieris mannii butterflies
Former members
- Simona Ruffener, MSc: The range-expanding butterfly Pieris mannii: habitat use and reference genome assembly
- Quiterie Haenel, PhD: Adaptation genomics in stickleback
- Telma Laurentino, PhD: Adaptation genomics in stickleback
- Tanja Brechbühl, MSc: Genetic basis of stickleback adaptation to acidic environments
- 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 | Permanent group leader, University of Basel, Switzerland |
2013-2020 | Research assistant, 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
2021 - 2025 | Swiss National Science Foundation, Project funding (grant 31003A_200374) |
2016 | Swiss National Science Foundation, Project funding (grant 31003A_165826) |
2014 | Freiwillige Akademische Gesellschaft Basel (project funding) |
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 (project funding) |
2009 - 2012 | Swiss National Science Foundation, Ambizione fellowship (grant PZ00P3_126391) |
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 PBBS33-111216) |
2006 - 2007 | Janggen-Pöhn Foundation |