Constructing a Robust Multi-Gene Phylogeny and Studying Host and Plastid Evolution in the Alveolate Protist Dinoflagellata

构建稳健的多基因系统发育并研究有泡原生生物甲藻的宿主和质体进化

• 批准号: 0344186
• 负责人: Senjie Lin
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: University of Connecticut
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-07-15 至 2006-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0344186&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Constructing; Robust; Multi; Gene; Phylogeny

0344186LinDinoflagellata are microscopic organisms that are critical to the marine ecosystem. While they are food for fish and other animals, some of them are life support of coral reefs, and many of them cause environmental problems by forming red tides. Due to the ecological and economical significance, understanding the evolution and diversification of these organisms is of high interest. Research by Senjie Lin and Huan Zhang at the University of Connecticut is focused on studying phylogenetic relationships among these organisms using nuclear (ribosomal DNA) and mitochondrial gene sequences for a wide span of dinoflagellate species. Sequences of these genes will be determined using PCR-based cloning and automated sequencing, and phylogenetic trees will be constructed using various methods to study dinoflagellate evolution. Specific objectives of this project include 1) identifying early-diverging lineages of dinoflagellates and reconstructing the radiation pattern for dinoflagellates; 2) assessing when the coral reef symbiont life-style emerged during dinoflagellate evolution; 3) studying how dinoflagellates diversified their trophic pathways; and 4) assessing how toxic species evolved. Results from this proposed project will constitute the first broadly based sampling of multiple genomes for many species of dinoflagellates and will provide a robust phylogenetic framework for this important group of organisms. Insights will be obtained from this project regarding dinoflagellate relationships with closely related organisms like the malaria parasite Plasmodium. Furthermore, novel information valuable for policy making in coastal environment management and conservation is expected. This project will also broaden graduate student training and enrich the curriculum for courses through integration of the discoveries into the curriculum. In particular, the results from this study will help students to appreciate how diverse and complex these seemingly simple microorganisms can be and how powerful molecular tools can be used in answering basic evolutionary questions. Finally, this grant will enable the PIs to continue with their commitment to encourage minority and female students to participate in scientific research.

地鞭藻是一种对海洋生态系统至关重要的微生物。虽然它们是鱼类和其他动物的食物，但其中一些是珊瑚礁的生命体，其中许多通过形成赤潮而造成环境问题。由于其生态和经济意义，了解这些生物的进化和多样性具有很高的兴趣。康涅狄格大学的林森杰和张欢的研究重点是使用广泛的甲藻物种的核(核糖体DNA)和线粒体基因序列来研究这些生物之间的系统发育关系。这些基因的序列将使用基于PCR的克隆和自动测序来确定，并将使用各种方法构建系统发育树来研究甲藻的进化。该项目的具体目标包括：1)确定甲藻早期分化的谱系，重建甲藻的辐射模式；2)评估甲藻进化过程中珊瑚礁共生生物的出现时间；3)研究甲藻如何使其营养途径多样化；4)评估有毒物种是如何进化的。这一拟议项目的结果将构成对许多甲藻物种的多个基因组的第一次广泛抽样，并将为这一重要的生物群提供一个强有力的系统发育框架。将从这个项目中获得关于甲藻与疟疾寄生虫等密切相关生物的关系的见解。此外，对海岸环境管理和保护的政策制定有价值的新信息也是可望的。该项目还将扩大研究生培训，并通过将发现纳入课程来丰富课程的课程。特别是，这项研究的结果将有助于学生认识到这些看似简单的微生物可以多么多样化和复杂，以及可以使用多么强大的分子工具来回答基本的进化问题。最后，这笔赠款将使私人投资机构能够继续致力于鼓励少数族裔和女性学生参与科学研究。