Recombination and segregation of chromosomes and genes in meiosis is the main source of genetic diversity in populations.
The purpose of the research carried out in the laboratory of recombination and segregation analysis of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is to clarify the role of chromosomal rearrangements and genetic factors in the regulation of the recombination process in meiosis of animals.
The meiosis group analyzes the molecular and cytogenetic mechanisms of synapsis, recombination and segregation of chromosomes in animal meiosis and the role of these processes in the evolution of populations and speciation. The laboratory has carried out a large cycle of studies to find out chromosomal polymorphism in natural populations of mammals. New chromosomal rearrangements have been described in natural populations of different rodent species in Europe, Asia and South America. Using modern methods of electron microscopic and immunochemical analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization, the peculiarities of the course of meiosis, synapsis, recombination and segregation of chromosomes in different vertebrate species and their hybrids are studied, and the mechanisms of hybrid sterility are revealed.
