MIRevolution

What drives the extraordinary diversity of animal life—and why are parasitic species so remarkably successful?

A central, yet often overlooked component of both processes lies in one of the smallest regulators in biology: microRNAs. These short RNA molecules are present in all animals and play a key role in controlling gene expression and cellular programs. Over the past two decades, they have become one of the most intensively studied molecular systems in biology. However, the rapid expansion of the field—with more than 16,000 publications annually—has also led to inconsistencies and conflicting annotations, limiting progress and application.

The research of Bastian Fromm addresses this fundamental challenge. With the development of the curated microRNA gene resource MirGeneDB, his work has helped establish a rigorous and quantitative framework for studying microRNA biology, enabling robust comparative and functional analyses across species.

In this TFS project, the Fromm group combines high-throughput sequencing, single-cell approaches, and comparative genomics to investigate how microRNAs shape animal evolution and the emergence of parasitic lifestyles. By leveraging the unique biodiversity of Arctic ecosystems around Tromsø, the project addresses fundamental questions in systematics and gene regulation.

In addition, the project pioneers the use of microRNAs in paleotranscriptomics—an emerging field that enables the study of gene expression in historical and ancient specimens. Supported by the Museum’s collections and ancient DNA infrastructure, this work opens new avenues for reconstructing biological processes in the past and linking them to present-day diversity.

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