The Origin of Genetic Interactions by Natural Selection

对基因组进化的理解直到最近才成为可能，这在很大程度上要归功于比较基因组学的进步。该项目的目标是发展描述基因组进化的重要组成部分的理论：遗传分化和基因复制。等位基因的进化多样化——遗传分化——可能先于基因复制，是基因创新的一个重要来源。本项目将在生物组织的几个层次上研究遗传分化的选择来源，包括生物内部变异、个体间变异和空间环境变异。等位基因和遗传相互作用的机制基础特征，如基因调控、二聚化和选择性剪接，将用于将遗传分化期间等位基因的变化与基因复制后基因的变化联系起来。突变的功能效应将被嵌入到生态动力学模型中。探索由生物内部和种群水平变异产生的选择的共同特征，也将为基因组水平的进化与种群水平的表型可塑性、遗传稳健性和局部适应现象之间的综合理论奠定基础。定量方法对生物学各个方面的重要性怎么强调都不为过。创建允许生物学中的数学理论作为日常正常活动的一部分呈现的机制，将有助于培养一种生物学家的文化，他们将理论作为生物学研究的正常组成部分。该项目将通过举办专门针对本科生和女性的理论生物学研讨会来实现这一目标。因为有可见的榜样可以提高女性在定量领域的参与度，所以女性教师将作为演讲者参与其中。本次研讨会也将为一名参与设计和演示计算机练习的博士后研究员提供培训机会。这项研究的结果将通过出版物、讲座和参加专题讨论会广泛传播。

An understanding of genome evolution has only recently become possible, due in large part to the advance of comparative genomics. The goal of this project is to develop theory describing important components of genome evolution: genetic divergence and gene duplication. The evolutionary diversification of alleles - genetic divergence - may precede gene duplication and represents an important source of genetic innovation. This project will investigate sources of selection for genetic divergence at several levels of biological organization, including within-organism variability, between-individual variability, and spatial environmental variability. Features of the mechanistic basis of allelic and genetic interactions, such as gene regulation, dimerization, and alternative splicing, will be used to relate changes in alleles during genetic divergence to changes in genes following gene duplication. The functional effects of mutation will then be embedded in models of ecological dynamics. Exploring the common features of selection generated by within-organism and population level variability will also lay groundwork for a comprehensive theory relating evolution at the genome level to the population level phenomena of phenotypic plasticity, genetic robustness, and local adaptation.The importance of a quantitative approach to all aspects of biology cannot be overstated. Creating mechanisms that allow mathematical theory in biology to be presented as part of everyday normal activities will help develop a culture of biologists who embrace theory as a normal part of biological research. This project will contribute to this goal by holding workshops in theoretical biology that are specifically targeted at undergraduate students and women. Because having visible role models enhances participation of women in quantitative fields, women faculty will participate as presenters. This workshop will also serve as a training opportunity for a post-doctoral researcher who will be involved in designing and demonstrating computer exercises. The results of this research will be widely disseminated through publications, lectures, and participation in symposia.