Dr. Deborah Marie Leigh
Funzione
collaboratrice scientifica
Contatto
+41 44 739 21 26
Istituto federale di Ricerca per la Foresta, la neve e il Paesaggio (WSL)
Zürcherstrasse 111
8903 Birmensdorf
Sito
Birmensdorf Bi MG C 34
Conservation genomics
I am currently working on white oak species with Christian Rellstab. This project is using genomic tools and experiments to study adaptation to drought across three species ( Quercus robur, Q. pubescens , and Q. petraea ) and is part of the ACORN collaboration (https://www.acorn-biodiversa.net/) .
I previously worked in WSL's Phytopathology group and used genomic tools to characterize the intra-host diversity of the CHV-1 virus. CHV-1 is used as a natural biocontrol for chestnut blight.
Professional interests
I am a conservation biologist, population geneticist / genomicist, and bioinformatician. My interests focus on using genetic tools to support threatened species and support conservation management. I have extensive experience working on the genetics of reintroduced populations and captive breeding programs. Prior to working at WSL, I contributed to the IPBES's assessment of the status of biodiversity and assessed the proportion of genetic variation lost in the last century from wild species. I also have considerable interest in the budding field of macrogenetics.
Academic History
2021-ongoing Postdoctoral fellow "Oak drought adaptation", WSL, Switzerland
2019-2021 Postdoctoral fellow "Intrahost diversity of CHV-1", WSL, Switzerland
2017-2018 Postdoctoral fellow "Population Genomics of Arctic Seabirds", Queens University, Canada
2013-2012 PhD "Population Genomics of the Alpine ibex," University of Zurich, Switzerland
2011-2012 MRes "Ecology, Evolution and Conservation," Imperial College London, UK
2008-2011 BSc "Biological Sciences Hon. Zoology," University of Edinburgh, UK
Recent publications
Leigh DM *, Van Rees CB *, Millette KL *, Breed MF, Schmidt C, Bertola LD, Hand BK, Hunter ME, Jensen EL, Kershaw F, Liggins L, Luikart G, Manel S, Mergeay J, Miller JM, Segelbacher G, Hoban S, Paz-Vinas I (2021) Opportunities and challenges of macrogenetic studies. Nature Reviews Genetics. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-021-00394-0 * joint first
Kessler C, Brambilla A., Waldvogel D, Camenisch G, Biebach I, Leigh DM , Keller LF, Grossen C, Croll D, (2021 ) A robust sequencing assay for the immunogenetics monitoring of Alpine ibex populations. Molecular Ecology Resources . doi: doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.27.357194
Leigh DM, Lischer HEL, Guillaume F, Grossen C, Günther T. (2021) Detecting selection in a species with a history of strong genetic drift. Molecular Ecology Resources . doi: 10.1101 / 2021.01.26.428274
Kersten O, Star B, Leigh DM , Anker-Nilssen T, Strøm H, Kleven O, Irestedt M, Descamps S, Hansen ES, Fort J, Daunt F, Danielsen J, Erikstad KE, Jakobsen KS , Boessenkool S (2021 ) Whole genome analyzes reveal unexpected barriers and isolation by distance in the Atlantic puffin. Communications Biology. Doi: 10.1101 / 2020.11.05.351874v2
Paz-Vinas I, Jensen EL, Bertola LD, Breed MF, Hand BK, Hunter ME, Kershaw F, Leigh DM , Luikart G, Mergeay J, Miller JM, Van Rees CB, Segelbacher G, Hoban S (2021) Biased estimates of intraspecific genetic diversity are an unintended consequence of repurposing data in macro-genetic studies: a comment on Millette et al . Ecology Letters. doi: 10.22541 / au.161401200.09787142 / v1
Leigh DM, Schefer C, Cornejo C (2020) Determining The Suitability Of Minion's Direct Rna And Dna Amplicon Sequencing For Viral Subtype Identification. Virus. 12: 801 Doi: 10.3390 / V12080801
See my personal website for more information: www.deborahmleigh.weebly.com