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| I am a post-doctoral fellow at the Phycology Research Group at the Ghent University.
My (academic) interests are in the area
of systematic biology, the study of biotic diversity within and among species.
As a seaweed biologist, my work principally focuses on the biology and evolution
of algae, in particular green seaweeds. I use morphological characteristics
and variation patterns in DNA sequences to analyze phylogenetic relationships,
species boundaries, biogeography and morphological evolution in siphonocladalean
green algae (Cladophorales). These algae are widespread in tropical to temperate
seas and freshwater environments and are characterized by giant, multinucleate
cells.
Previous research, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Ghent University, investigated the diversity and evolution of endosymbiotic prokaryotes in siphonocladalean green algae. More recently, my research focuses on phylogeny and molecular evolution in green plants. More specifically, I aim to get insights into the evolution of translation in green algae by analysing genetic code, codon usage and specific translation-related genes in a phylogenetic framework. |
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Contact: Ghent University, Biology Department (WE11) Phycology Research Group Krijgslaan 281, building S8, 3rd floor 9000 Ghent, Belgium E-mail: frederik.leliaert[at]ugent.be or frederik.leliaert[at]gmail.com Phone: +32 9 264 8508 |
| Selected Publications: (A full publication list can be found here) |
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Payo et al. (2013) Extensive cryptic species diversity and fine scale endemism in the marine red alga Portieria in the Philippines. Proceedings B 280: 20122660 |
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Hollants et al. (2013) Permanent residents or temporary lodgers: characterizing intracellular bacterial communities in the siphonous green alga Bryopsis. Proceedings B 280: 20122659 |
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Leliaert et al. (2012) Phylogeny and molecular evolution of the green algae. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 31: 1-46 (html) |
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Leliaert et al. (2011) Into the deep: new discoveries at the base of the green plant phylogeny. BioEssays 33: 683–692 (html) |
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Cocquyt et al. (2010) Evolution and cytological diversification of the green seaweeds (Ulvophyceae). Molecular Biology and Evolution 27: 2052–2061 |
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Casteleyn et al. (2010) Limits to gene flow in a cosmopolitan marine planktonic diatom PNAS 107: 12952-12957 |