Comparative ageing in bats versus other mammals- broad ageing biomarker approach
Supervisors
Emma Teeling
UCD,1st supervisor
Dario Riccardo Valenzano
FLI,2nd supervisor
Objectives
Bats exhibit unique ageing traits among mammals, including extended healthspans and robust immunity that allow them to tolerate pathogens without typical signs of ageing. This project aims to uncover the genetic and evolutionary foundations of these exceptional traits through a comparative analysis across bat species. Specific objectives: • Identify ageing and immune-related biomarkers unique to bats through comparative phylogenomics. • Analyse interactions among identified markers to understand their role in longevity and disease resistance. • Validate the presence and functionality of these biomarkers in wild populations of the longest-lived bat species
Methodology
To identify and collate ageing and immune-related biomarkers, genes, regulators unique to bats the DC will have access to ~150 newly generated reference quality bat genomes generated by Bat1K. The DC will use advanced comparative phylogenomic methods (e.g. Astral, Caster, Absrel etc. ) to ascertain the evolutionary history and selective pressures acting on these genomic regions to uncover similar or divergent signatures of selection within bats compared with other mammals. This will enable the DC to identify the key regulators that correlate with the unique ageing and immune phenotypes in bats. These findings will be cross-referenced with on-going studies of ageing biomarkers (e.g. transcriptomics, mitochondria, telomeres, immune assays, proteomics) in wild and captive bats and cross-referenced with comparative cellular and functional assays to validate the role of these genomically predicated regulators in bats’ unique immunity and longevity. These results will be compared with other model systems and species, to ascertain the translational relevance of these predications to human biology.
Required Skills
Bioinformatic programming, computational skills and experience; Understanding of phylogenetics concepts, methodologies;
Experience in handling large genomic datasets;
Interest in evolutionary biology;
Expected results
Drive a new understanding of the evolution and molecular basis of extended helthspan and disease tolerance in mammals, using bats as a new model study system. This will result in high-ranking publications, global scientific interactions and advancements in the biology of ageing.
Planned Secondment
FLI (Valenzano) in year 2 (2 months) to gain further expertise on comparative genomics research.
UPF (Juan-Mateu) in year 2 (1 month) to receive complementary training on comparative transcriptomics.
UPF (Díez) in year 3 (1 week) to get exposed to research on molecular virology.
CNRS (Walczak) in year 3 (2 weeks) for training on mathematical modelling
Enrolment in doctoral program
PhD at the University College Dublin
References
1. *Morales, A.E., Dong, Y., Brown,…..Teeling E.C.. et al.. (2025). Bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance. Nature 638, 449–458.
2. *Power, M. L., Ransome, R. D., Riquier, S., Romaine, L., Jones, G., & Teeling, E. C. (2023, October 11). Hibernation telomere dynamics in a shifting climate: insights from wild greater horseshoe bats. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 290(2008), 20231589. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.1589
3. *M. Déjosez, A. Marin, G. M. Hughes, A. E. Morales, C. Godoy-Parejo, J. L. Gray, Y. Qin, A. A. Singh, H. Xu, J. Juste, C. Ibáñez, K. M. White, R. Rosales, N. J. Francoeur, R. P. Sebra, D. Alcock, T. L. Volkert, S. J. Puechmaille, A. Pastusiak, S. D.W. Frost, M. Hiller, R. A. Young, E. C. Teeling, A. García-Sastre, & T. P. Zwaka. (2023). Bat pluripotent stem cells reveal unusual entanglement between host and viruses. Cell, 186(5), 957-974.e28. ISSN 0092-8674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.01.011.
4. *D. Jebb, Z. Huang, M. Pippel, G. M. Hughes, K. Lavrichenko, P. Devanna, S. Winkler, L. S. Jermiin, E. C. Skirmuntt, A. Katzourakis, L. Burkitt-Gray, D. A. Ray, K. A. M. Sullivan, J. G. Roscito, B. M. Kirilenko, L. M. Dávalos, A. P. Corthals, M. L. Power, G. Jones, R. D. Ransome, D. Dechmann, A. G. Locatelli, S. J. Puechmaille, O. Fedrigo, E. D. Jarvis, M. Hiller, S. C. Vernes, E. W. Myers & E. C. Teeling. (2020). Six new reference-quality bat genomes illuminate the molecular basis and evolution of bat adaptations. Nature 583, 578–584.
5. *Z. Huang, C. V. Whelan, N. M. Foley, D. Jebb, F. Touzalin, E. J. Petit, S. J. Puechmaille & E. C. Teeling. (2019). Longitudinal comparative transcriptomics reveals unique mechanisms underlying extended healthspan in mammals. Nature Ecology and Evolution 3, 1110-1120.
6. *E. C. Teeling, S. C. Vernes, L. M. Davalos, D. A. Ray, M. T. P. Gilbert, E. Myers. (2018). Bat Biology, Genomes, and the Bat1K Project: To generate chromosome-level genomes for all living bat species. Annual Review Animal Biosciences 6, 23-46.