DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Antagonistic selection and speciation in the platyfish

本研究探讨了作用于一个有效的致癌基因和假定的物种形成基因在南方的大螯虾，剑尾鱼maculatus的进化力量。 Xmrk基因在X. maculatus引起X.和一个密切相关的物种剑尾鱼。 因此，这已经成为皮肤癌和物种形成研究的经典系统。 然而，对Xmrk的进化遗传学知之甚少。 这项研究将使用复杂的分子技术和数学模型来估计作用于Xmrk的进化力量的强度和类型。 具体来说，这项研究将确定是否存在遗传证据，为生殖隔离之间的X。maculatus和X. helleri引起的Xmrk和强度的选择操作Xmrk。 这项研究将促进我们对癌症基因进化力量的理解。 它还将提供关于自然种群生殖隔离的分子基础的急需数据。 为该项目开发的分子，数学和计算技术将提高这些领域未来研究的能力。 这项研究是得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校和墨西哥拉巴斯诺罗斯特生物研究中心的科学家们共同努力的结果。 国际合作是现代研究的重要组成部分，墨西哥和美国大学之间建立牢固的联系大大促进了两国的科学发展。

This study investigates the evolutionary forces acting on a potent oncogene and putative speciation gene in the Southern Platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus. The Xmrk gene in X. maculatus causes the formation of aggressive melanomas in hybrids between X. maculatus and a closely related species, Xiphophorus helleri. As a result, this has been a classic system for both skin cancer and speciation research. However, relatively little is known about the evolutionary genetics of Xmrk. This research will use sophisticated molecular techniques and mathematical models to estimate the strengths and types of evolutionary forces acting on Xmrk. Specifically, this research will determine whether genetic evidence exists for reproductive isolation between X. maculatus and X. helleri caused by Xmrk and the strength of selection operating on Xmrk. This study will advance our understanding of the evolutionary forces acting on cancer genes. It will also provide much needed data on the molecular basis of reproductive isolation in natural populations. The molecular, mathematical, and computational techniques developed for this project will advance the capabilities of future research in these areas. This research is a collaborative effort between scientists at the University of Texas at Austin and at Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in La Paz Mexico. International collaboration is a critical component of modern research and developing strong bonds between universities in Mexico and the United States greatly advances the science in both countries.