Studies on Maternal and Epigenetic Selection Models

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The proposed research involves production of a generalized model of some important developmental aspects of mammalian body plans. Most current models which to are used to understand and predict relationships among complex morphological and life- history traits are inadequate because they ignore important developmental processes. Specifically, most current models ignore the role played by "genetic maternal effects" and so called "epigenetic interactions" during development. The proposed research will provide heretofore unavailable experimental data on the impact of genetic maternal effects on randombred mammalian organisms. In one project, the investigators will use embryo transfer procedures among several diverse strains of laboratory mice to provide critical new data about the relative magnitude of genetic variation in both prenatal and postnatal maternal effects on the development of complex morphological and reproductive traits. Further, the investigators will determine the extent of genetic correlation between these prenatal and postnatal effects. Finally, they will examine the persistence of maternal effects across generations. The second component of the project involves theoretical explorations and computer simulations about the phenomenon of epigenetic interactions. The research will compare evolutionary predictions made under different models of epigenetic control, and examine the consequences on epigenetic selection models of major genes and non-additive gene effects. Finally, new experimental designs will be provided for estimating intrinsic and epigenetic effects during development.