Dr. Antoine Minne (Postdoc)

Kelp population genomics and phenotyping for evaluating thermotolerance (Postdoc)

I am interested in looking at signs of adaptation to climate change in kelp forests at the genetic and phenotypic level as well as tackling some more fundamental population genomics questions. As many temperate reef ecosystems around the world, kelp forests intrinsic adaptive capacities are challenged by gradual warming induced by climate change and extreme warming events. In recent years, I have been interested in using population genetics approach to (1) monitor genetic changes overtime in populations effected by climate change, (2) assess patterns of genetic diversity and structure to inform restoration practices, (3) quantify putative loci under selection to local environments and combine it with mesocosm experiments, and (4) explore the deep reef refugia hypothesis on kelps from a genetic perspective. While my research has been heavily focused on Ecklonia radiata, a dominant kelp species in temperate reefs throughout Australia, with new projects based in Norway, I am now also working on northern hemisphere species (Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima). Ultimately, I hope this gained knowledge will strengthen novel restoration strategies to future-proof conservation of kelp forests around the world and fill knowledge gaps in our understanding on kelp adaptive capacity.

Qualifications 

  • 2024: PhD, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia. Thesis title “Incorporating genomic data to assess the adaptive potential of Australian kelp forests to climate change”.
  • 2019: Master of Science in Oceanography and Marine Ecology, Aix-Marseille University (Marseille, France).
    Thesis: Impact of the 2011 marine heatwave on the genetic diversity and structure of Ecklonia radiata along the coast of Western Australia.
  • 2017: Bachelor of Life and Earth Sciences (Sea track), Aix-Marseille University (Marseille, France) with an exchange program at University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia).

Peer Reviewed Publications:

  1. Blanfuné, A., Boudouresque, C.F., Verlaque, M., Minne, A.J.P, Noisette, F. and Thibaut, T., 2023. Impact of sea level rise on the Mediterranean Lithophyllum byssoides rims. Scientific Reports, 13(1), p.10577.
  2. Wheeler D, Minne AJP, Wernberg T, Coleman MA (2022) The chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of the kelp, Ecklonia radiata. Aquatic Botany, accepted 21/12/21.
  3. Veenhof RJ, Champion C, Dworjanyn SA, Wernberg T, Minne AJP, Layton C, Bolton JJ, Reed DC, Coleman MA (2022) Kelp gametophytes in changing oceans. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 60. In press.
  4. Jueterbock A, Minne AJP, Cock JM, Coleman MA, Wernberg T, Scheschonk L, Rautenberger R, Zhang J, Hu ZM (2021) Priming of marine macrophytes for enhanced restoration success and food security in future oceans. Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Conservation and Sustainability, accepted 4/3/21.
  5. Vanderklift MA, Doropoulos CA, Gorman D, Leal IAV, Minne AJP, Statton J, Steven ADL, Wernberg T (2020) Using propagules to restore coastal marine ecosystems. Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Conservation and Sustainability, 7: 124 [doi: /10.3389/fmars.2020.00724] [pdf].
  6. Coleman MA, Minne AJP, Vranken S, Wernberg T (2020) Genetic tropicalisation following a marine heatwave. Scientific Reports, 10: 12726 [doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69665-w] [pdf].
  7. Coleman MA, Wood G, Filbee-Dexter K, Minne AJP, Goold HD, Verges A, Marzinelli EM, Steinberg PD, Wernberg T (2020) Restore or redefine: future trajectories for restoration. Frontiers in Marine Science: Marine Conservation and Sustainability, 7: 237. [doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00237].
  8. Gurgel CFD, Camacho O, Minne AJP, Wernberg T, Coleman MA (2020) Marine heatwave drives cryptic loss of genetic diversity in underwater forests, Current Biology, 30 (7):1199-1206.e2. [doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.051]

Achievements and awards

  • 2022: ASPAB Best Student Presentation Prize
  • 2021: Grant winner, Robson & Robertson Awards.
  • 2021: Grant winner: The Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment.
  • 2021: Grant winner: Postgraduate Students Association.
  • 2019: International Research Training Program Scholarship for a PhD at UWA

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