CAREER: Physiological Genetics of the Dwarf Surf Clam, Mulinia lateralis.

杂种优势，或杂种优势，是一种条件，其中更多的杂合个体在生理上优于更多的纯合个体。 尽管海洋双壳类和其他类群的杂种优势研究已被广泛报道，但杂种优势的生理和遗传基础仍然知之甚少。 这项研究将采用定量和分子遗传学方法相结合的方法来研究矮生冲浪蛤（Mulinia lateralis）杂种优势的生理和遗传基础。 这项工作的具体目标是1）确定生长速率变化的遗传和生理基础，2）估计生长的生理组分在遗传上相关的程度，3）确定杂合性水平是否与应激和非应激条件下的生理表现显著相关，（4）确定近交对M.外侧肌 三个独立的教育活动将与这些研究目标相结合。 首先M lateralis将被用作实验室部分的教学模型，以伴随缅因州大学目前教授的数量遗传学研究生水平课程。第二，将建立一个实习，使高中教师和学生直接参与拟议的研究，并获得在分子生物学，双壳类养殖和数量遗传学的实践培训。 第三，将为中学科学教师开设遗传学暑期课程研究所。 该研究所旨在帮助教师跟上遗传研究的快速发展，并有效地将这些进展传达给学生。 沿着夏季遗传学研究所，一系列的试点项目将在当地学校建立，探索最有效的方法来使用M。lateralis作为一个模型，以符合国家和国家标准的方式展示双壳类的生理学，生态学和遗传学。

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is a condition where more heterozygous individuals physiologically outperform more homozygous individuals. Although heterosis has often been reported for marine bivalves, as well as other taxa, the physiological and genetic bases of heterosis are still poorly understood. The proposed research will use a combination of quantitative and molecular genetic approaches to examine the physiological and genetic underpinnings of heterosis in the dwarf surf clam, Mulinia lateralis. The specific goals of this work are 1) to determine the genetic and physiological basis of growth rate variation, 2) to estimate the degree to which the physiological components of growth are genetically correlated, 3) to determine whether levels of heterozygosity are significantly associated with physiological performance under both stressful and non-stressful conditions, and 4) to determine the importance of inbreeding to any association between heterozygosity and physiological performance in M. lateralis. Three separate educational activities will be integrated with these research goals. First, M. lateralis will be used as a teaching model for a laboratory section to accompany the graduate level course in quantitative genetics currently taught at the University of Maine. Second, an internship will be established that will enable high school teachers and students to directly participate in the proposed research and gain hands-on training in molecular biology, bivalve husbandry, and quantitative genetics. Third, a summer content institute in genetics for secondary science teachers will be developed. This institute is intended to help teachers keep pace with the rapid advances in genetic research and effectively communicate these advances to their students. Along with the summer genetics institute, a series of pilot projects will be established in local schools exploring the most effective way to use M. lateralis as a model for demonstrating bivalve physiology, ecology, and genetics in a manner consistent with state and national standards.