Global Theme

• How did the different life forms we know today evolve?
• In which aspects do their cells function differently at the molecular level?

Genome Evolution

We are studying nuclear genomes of primitive eukaryotes, to establish the different tracks in genome diversification. In turn, the investigation of mitochondrial genomes aims at tracing back the transition from an endosymbiotic bacterium to an integral substructure of the eukaryotic cell..

Molecular Mechanisms

We have discovered a most unusual mode of gene expression in a micro-eukaryotes, which involves massive RNA editing and trans-splicing. Our aim is to uncover the underlying biochemical mechanisms and to dissect the molecular machineries.

Symbioses – principles and applications

The chosen system is cranberry and its microbes – multiple bacterial and fungal species living together in their host, inside plant cells. These microbes affect growth, nutrient assimilation, and pathogen susceptibility of the plant. The project aims at the isolation and classification of endosymbionts that are beneficial to cranberries, and also at field trials to test ‘biofertilisation’ and ‘biocontrol’ of selected microbes. Further, sequencing of microbe genomes will determine the genes involved in beneficial effects on the plant. These two aspects will be performed by our collaborators. Our laboratory will conduct transcriptomics (i) to establish the effect of microbes on plant gene expression, and (ii) to study the host-microbe and microbe-microbe crosstalk.

Experimental Approaches

Our principal experimental approaches are genomics and transcriptomics joined with bioinformatics analyses (assembly and functional annotation of ‘Omes; prediction of protein subcellular localization); proteomics, ARN biochemistry, and general molecular biology.

My research projects include multi-disciplinary, national and international collaborations.

Selected Publications

• Burger G, Moreira S, Valach M (2016) “Genes in hiding”. Trends Genet 32(19)535-565
• Burger G, Gray MW, Forget L, Lang BG (2013) “A strikingly bacteria-like and gene-rich mitochondrial genome is a hallmark of jakobid protists.” Genome Biol Evol 5:418
• Shen YQ, Burger G (2010) “TESTLoc: protein subcellular localization prediction from EST data.” BCM Bioinformatics 11:563

BSc et MSc en biologie, doctorat et habilitation en génétique & microbiologie, Ludwig-Maximilian Universität, München, Allemagne

Stages post-doctoraux en Allemagne, Canada, Etats-Unis, France, Italie

Chercheure associée, CNRS, microbiologie, Université Paris-Sud, France

Chercheure associée, biochimie, UdeM

Conception et implémentation des programmes d'études (1er, 2ème, et 3ème cycle) de bio-informatique a l'UdeM

Présidente des comités des études en bio-informatique 2000-2015

Présidente du comité de bourses stratégiques du IRSC-Génétique en bio-informatique 2004-2010

Membre de différents comités factultaires tels que de comités aviseurs et d’autoévaluation, de groupes de travail, etc.

Membre fondateur du Centre Robert-Cedergren en bio-informatique et génomique.

Poste de doctorant en bio-informatique disponible

Supervision de stagiaires postdoctoraux en bio-informatique et en biochimie

Supervision de doctorants en bio-informatique et en biochimie

Supervision d'étudiants à la maîtrise en bio-informatique et en biochimie

Supervision de stages de 1er et de 2ème cycle en bio-informatique et biochimie

Participation à plus de 35 jurys et comités de thèses

Organisation de l'annuel colloque bio-informatique Robert Cedergren 2005 - 2010

Participation à des jurys de thèse de Dalhousie University et University of British Columbia.

PUBLICATIONS CHOISIES

• Burger G, Moreira S, Valach M (2016) “Genes in hiding”. Trends Genet 32(19)535-565
• Burger G, Gray MW, Forget L, Lang BG (2013) “A strikingly bacteria-like and gene-rich mitochondrial genome is a hallmark of jakobid protists.” Genome Biol Evol 5:418
• Shen YQ, Burger G (2010) “TESTLoc: protein subcellular localization prediction from EST data.” BCM Bioinformatics 11:563
   

En voir plus sur : http://megasun.bch.umontreal.ca/People/burger/pubs.html