Dr. Sebastien Wielgoss

Dr.  Sebastien Wielgoss

Dr. Sebastien Wielgoss

Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science

ETH Zürich

Professur f. Evolutionsbiologie

CHN J 11

Universitätstrasse 16

8092 Zürich

Switzerland

Additional information

Research area

1.) Phylogenomics with social myxobacteria

Bacteria are the most abundant life forms on Earth: there are more bacterial cells on our planet than there are stars in the visible universe. However, at the same time, bacteria are also microscopically small and difficult to reliably distinguish based on cell morphology. As thus they are very difficult to directly observe and study in natural environments. However, with help of recent innovations in highthroughput sequencing it has become feasible to address questions on how different bacterial species are distributed in space and time, and which evolutionary forces drive this distribution.

For my research, I focus on the highly fascinating social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus. In particular, I assess the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship among individuals within and across kin group populations of M. xanthus at the level of the whole genome, and link these data with social phenotypic diversity across the whole microbial landscape spanning metric scales as disparate as 10-6 m (fruiting bodies) up to 107 m (continents). For this I combine phylogenetics with population genetics methods to better understand the mechanisms that shape genetic and social variance in cooperative myxobacteria at different spatial distances in nature.  

2.) Mutation rate dynamics and the fate of mutators

The quantification of spontaneous mutation rates is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of the evolutionary process. According to theory, mutation rates should be minimized for well-adapted populations living in stable environments, whereas hypermutators may evolve if conditions change. However, the long-term fate of hypermutators is unknown.

For my research I rely on experimental evolution settings with bacteria (mainly Escherichia coli) to reliably estimate mutation rates and better understand their evolutionary dynamcis over time. For this I study monocultures, as well as co-evolution cultures comprising bacteria and their viral parasites.

 

Education

  • 08/2004 – 06/2009   PhD in Biology, Universität Konstanz (D)
  • 10/2000 – 06/2004   Master's degree in Agrobiology, Universität Hohenheim (D)
  • 09/1999 – 09/2000   Undergraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences, TU München (D)

 

Research Experience and Scientific Mobility

  • since 11/2019           Senior Researcher, ETH Zürich(CH)
  • 04/2014 – 10/2019   Research Assistant, ETH Zürich (CH)
  • 03/2012 – 03/2014   Postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Gregroy Velicer, ETH Zürich (CH)
  • 05/2009 – 02/2012   Postdoctoral fellow (CNRS) with Prof. Dominique Schneider, UJF Grenoble (F)
  • 08/2004 – 06/2009   PhD student with Prof. Axel Meyer, Universität Konstanz (D)
  • 08/2003 – 06/2004   Master student with Prof. Nicolaus von Wirén, Universität Hohenheim (D) 

 

Personal fellowships and grants

  • 04/2013 – 03/2015   Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (by EU-FP7)
  • 01/2009 – 02/2009   PhD fellowship (by Universität Konstanz)
  • 04/2007 – 12/2008   PhD fellowship (by Landesgraduiertenförderung Baden-Württemberg)
  • 08/2003 – 11/2003   Master student fellowship by the DAAD 

 

For further information: My personal websitecall_made

 

CV PDF

Additional information

Institutional responsibilities (IBZ, USYS)

  • Member of the Teaching Comission (D-USYS)
  • Member of the Institute's Council (IBZ)

Course Catalogue

Spring Semester 2024

Number Unit
701-0245-00L Evolutionary Analysis
701-1427-00L Experimental Evolution

Publications

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