Sandra Duharcourt

This study shows that ciliates can break species barriers through recurrent horizontal gene transfer from highly divergent lineages, resulting in viable offspring.

The paper reports the genome of Paramecium aurelia, revealing tiny germline chromosomes with an exceptionally high recombination rate and a new class of Helitrons at their ends.

The paper shows PRC2 controls small RNA dynamics during DNA elimination in Paramecium by selectively degrading non-TE scnRNAs, independent of its histone methyltransferase activity.

The paper identifies Gtsf1 as essential for selecting and degrading small RNAs in Paramecium, ensuring proper genome elimination during macronucleus development.

The paper identifies PRC2 cofactors that mediate small RNA recruitment to repress transposable elements in Paramecium.

The paper investigates the evolutionary origin of Internal Eliminated Sequences (IESs) in Paramecium genomes, showing transposable elements drive their proliferation and diversification.

This study analyzes 13 Paramecium species with a shared ancestral whole-genome duplication to reveal trends in post-duplication gene retention and selective pressures.