In his PhD studies Erik Fogh Sørensen researched the role of chromosome X in primates, with a focus on baboons. Chromosome X is different due to only having a single copy in males, while the autosomes have two copies in both males and females. This causes unique inheritance patterns, which Erik Fogh Sørensen shows can be used to infer sex-biased admixture, mating and selection processes.

The findings show that chromosome X experience admixture differently, both due to differences in mating and selective pressures. Chromosome X has more selection against admixture but can also contain more admixture at the same time. Admixture increases relative chromosome X diversity, but it is commonly lower than expected compared to the autosomes in primates.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.
The PhD study was completed at Bioinformatics Research Centre, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University.

Time: Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 13:00
Place: Building 1870, room 816, Faculty Club, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus
Title of PhD thesis: Autosomal and X-chromosomal analysis of admixture and diversity patterns show extensive selection against admixture, as well as depletion of diversity on chromosome X
Contact information: Erik Fogh Sørensen, e-mail: eriks@birc.au.dk, tel.: +45 28929461

Members of the assessment committee:

• Professor Julien Dutheil, Department of Theoretical Biology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Germany
• Professor Jenny Tung, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany
• Senior Reseracher Jan Trige Rasmussen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Associate Professor Kasper Munch, Bioinformatics Research Centre, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C