COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Evolutionary dynamics of a molecular polymorphism for diapause and life histories in Drosophila melanogaster

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。这项研究的主要目标是了解模式生物黑腹果蝇适应季节性的分子遗传基础。虽然该物种是撒哈拉以南非洲的特有种，但已经进化出一种生殖滞育（类似于冬眠）的形式。这种特性是一个重要的健康组成部分，在自然群体中有所不同，并受到沙发土豆基因的调控。具体目标是：1）阐明沙发土豆如何控制滞育和相关的特征，如衰老和胁迫耐受性; 2）确定参与适应性进化反应的其他基因和途径; 3）检查沙发土豆基因区的进化历史，并评估其在祖先热带栖息地扩张中的作用。滞育D. melanogaster是研究生物如何适应多变气候的极好系统。滞育对包括寿命和衰老在内的其他性状有广泛的影响，这项研究将有助于理解寿命和衰老的遗传控制。许多农业害虫也滞育，从这个项目的结果是直接适用于了解滞育的遗传和人口控制在这些类群。此外，这些研究对理解新环境中的进化、对气候变化的进化反应以及其他生物的遗传权衡都有影响。更广泛的影响还包括K-12、本科和研究生阶段的教育和培训。调查人员将继续与G。W.卡弗高中在费城开发他们的科学课程，并开发推广活动与小学和中学在整个费城学校系统。最后，该项目将为富兰克林科学研究所的“我们不断变化的地球”展览作出贡献。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The major goal of this research is to understand the molecular genetic basis of adaptation to seasonality in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Although this species is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, a form of reproductive diapause (analogous to hibernation) has evolved. This trait is an essential fitness component, varies in natural populations, and is regulated by the gene couch potato. The specific aims are: 1) to elucidate how couch potato governs diapause and associated traits such as aging and stress tolerance; 2) to identify additional genes and pathways that are involved in adaptive evolutionary responses to climatic variation; 3) to examine the evolutionary history of the couch potato gene region and evaluate its role in the expansion out of ancestral tropical habitats. Diapause in D. melanogaster is an excellent system for investigating how organisms adapt to variable climates. Diapause has wide-ranging effects on other traits including lifespan and aging, and this research will contribute to the understanding of the genetic control of lifespan and senescence. Many agricultural pests also diapause, and results from this project are directly applicable to understanding the genetics of diapause and population control in these taxa. In addition, these investigations have bearing on understanding evolution in novel environments, evolutionary response to climate change, and genetic tradeoffs in other organisms. Broader impacts also include education and training at the K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. The investigators will continue to work with the G. W. Carver High School in Philadelphia to develop their science curriculum, and develop outreach activities with elementary and secondary schools throughout the Philadelphia School System. Finally, the project will contribute to an exhibit on the genetic response to climate change for 'Our Changing Earth' at the Franklin Science Institute.