Dissertation Research: Expression and Evolution of Genes Underlying Water Retention in Heteromyid Rodents from Xeric and Mesic Environments

袋鼠（Dipodomys sp.）和其他成员的Heteromyidae长期以来一直注意到他们的能力，以限制水的损失，通过生产高度浓缩的废物。 研究集中在他们的肾脏生理学;然而，研究人员以前缺乏必要的资源来确定这种适应的基因。 该项目将使用下一代测序来调查肾脏转录组（即，肾中表达的基因）以及来自哥斯达黎加热带雨林的一种异颌类（Heteromysdesmarestianus）。 本研究的目的是确定适应的遗传基础，以有效地利用水的沙漠啮齿动物在家庭Heteromyidae。 因此，该项目将确定适应沙漠的物种和在没有缺水的选择压力下进化的物种之间基因表达和序列进化的差异。 这些差异将允许识别有效肾功能和保水的基因，以及适应干旱栖息地生活的分子基础。 此外，这些见解可以扩展我们对肾功能异常和肾脏疾病背后的基因表达和突变模式的理解。

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys sp.) and other members of the Heteromyidae have long been noted for their ability to limit water loss through the production of highly concentrated waste. Studies have focused on their kidney physiology; however investigators previously lacked the resources necessary to identify the genes underlying this adaptation. This project will use next generation sequencing to survey the kidney transcriptomes (i.e., genes expressed in the kidney) of desert adapted Heteromyids from the Southwestern United States (Dipodomys spectabilis and Chaetodipus baileyi) as well as a Heteromyid species from the rainforests of Costa Rica (Heteromys desmarestianus). The goal of this research is to identify the genetic basis of an adaptation for efficient water use by desert rodents in the family Heteromyidae. Thus, the project will identify differences in gene expression and sequence evolution between desert adapted species and a species that has evolved without the selective pressure of water scarcity. These differences will permit the identification of genes integral to efficient kidney function and water retention as well the molecular basis of adaptations to life in arid habitats. Additionally, these insights could extend our understanding of patterns of gene expression and mutations behind abnormal kidney function and kidney disease.