DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genetic Architecture and Genomic Divergence During Ecological Speciation in Boechera stricta, a Wild Relative of Arabidopsis

本研究的目的是确定一个物种内的遗传分化的关键因素和这种分化的遗传机制。以一种北美原产芥菜为模式植物，初步研究发现两个亚种间存在显著的基因型和表型差异。为了研究导致这种分化的遗传机制，研究人员将在两个亚种之间进行杂交，并确定可能导致表型分化的基因。此外，基因和表型对适应的直接贡献将通过在其原生环境中种植植物来测量。研究人员将进一步研究这两个亚种之间的全基因组分化模式。结合这些结果，本地适应的影响，物种内的遗传变异的模式将进行实证研究。这项拟议的研究将促进对物种内遗传多样性模式的理解。了解遗传变异的程度和驱动因素将在各种应用中提供有价值的信息，例如确定包括农业植物在内的各种物种中重要性状的遗传因素。拟议的项目将是第一批研究之一，确定可能的基因负责重要的表型，调查这些基因和表型的适应性影响，并统一这些结果与人口基因组差异模式的调查。在这项研究中利用植物物种可以对研究的个体进行直接的实验操作。最后，本计画将训练数位本科生学习生态学、族群遗传学及基因组学的跨学科知识。

This research aims to identify key factors contributing to the genetic differentiation within a species and the genetic mechanism underlying such differentiation. Using a North America native mustard plant species as model, preliminary study has found significant genotypic and phenotypic divergence between two subspecies. In order to study the genetic mechanism responsible for this differentiation, the investigators will generate a cross between the two subspecies and identify possible genes responsible for the phenotypic differentiation. Also, the direct contribution of genes and phenotypes to adaptation will be measured by growing the plants in their native environments. The investigators will further examine the genome-wide differentiation pattern between the two subspecies. Combining these results, the effect of local adaptation on the pattern of within-species genetic variation will be investigated empirically. This proposed research will advance understanding of patterns of within-species genetic diversity. Understanding the extent and driving factors of genetic variation will provide valuable information in various applications, such as identifying genetic factors underlying important traits in various species, including agricultural plants. The proposed project will be one of the first studies identifying possible genes responsible for important phenotypes, investigating the adaptive effect of these genes and phenotypes, and unifying these results with the investigation of population genomic divergence patterns. The utilization of a plant species in this research enables direct experimental manipulation on studied individuals. Finally, several undergraduate students will be trained with the interdisciplinary knowledge of ecology, population genetics, and genomics in this project.