DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Quantitative Genetics of Male-Female Conflict

论文研究：性冲突的数量遗传学这个项目调查了性别差异(性二态)的演变。尽管身体上的差异往往很大，但男性和女性的大多数基因都是相同的。当选择有利于两性不同的特征值时，这就产生了遗传冲突，因为对女性有利的基因对男性不利，反之亦然。进化论预测，这种冲突可以通过两种机制之一来解决：在性染色体上定位具有性别特有益处的基因(性别连锁)或性别特有的基因表达模式。通过将不同体型和性别二态程度不同的水行动物种群进行杂交，这项研究将量化性别连锁和性别特定的基因表达模式，以确定它们是否对观察到的性别二型性的变化负责。此外，该项目还探索了统计方法在野生种群中检测这两种预测所特有的遗传效应的能力。本科生的直接参与是该项目的关键。在实验室期间，学生将获得进行科学研究的实践经验。虽然大多数UCR本科生进入卫生专业，但在这个项目中的培训将使他们为这些以生物学为基础的专业做好准备。这项研究的结果将揭示性别二型性特征的遗传结构，并有助于研究身体大小、进化和性别选择的一般理论。此外，该项目还将促进可用于对非实验室人群进行定量遗传分析的统计方法。这些结果可用于推进家畜改良计划，并确定人类特定性别疾病的遗传基础。

DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Quantitative Genetics of Sexual ConflictThis project investigates the evolution of differences between sexes (sexual dimorphism). Despite often dramatic physical divergence, males and females share the majority of their genes. This creates genetic conflict when selection favors different trait values in the two sexes, because genes that are beneficial for females will be detrimental for males and vice versa. Evolutionary theory predicts that this conflict can be resolved by one of two mechanisms: location of genes with sex-specific benefits on sex chromosomes (sex-linkage) or sex-specific patterns of gene expression. By crossing populations of water striders that differ in both body size and magnitude of sexual dimorphism, this study will quantify sex-linkage and sex-specific patterns of gene expression to determine if they are responsible for the observed variation in sexual dimorphism. Additionally, the project explores the ability of statistical methods to detect the genetic effects, unique to the two predictions, in wild populations.Direct involvement of undergraduates is key to the project. While in the laboratory, students will obtain hands on experience conducting scientific research. Although most UCR undergraduates go into health professions, training during this project will prepare them well for these biology based professions. Results from the research will reveal the genetic architecture of sexually dimorphic traits and contribute to the general theories on body size evolution and sexual selection. Further, this project will contribute to the statistical methods available for quantitative genetic analyses of non-laboratory populations. These results can be used to advance livestock improvement programs and determine the genetic basis of sex-specific diseases in humans.