NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2012

2012 财年 NSF 生物学博士后奖学金

• 批准号: 1202873
• 负责人: Hannah Wood
• 金额: $ 12.3万
• 依托单位: Wood Hannah M
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Fellowship Award
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1202873&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; Postdoctoral; Fellowship; Biology; FY

Function and rates of diversification in complex miniature structures: the trap-jaw mechanisms in spiders The goal of this research is to use principles of engineering to discover basic mechanical patterns in the function of a complex biological structure, and then to use these findings to examine evolutionary diversification. Studies that determine function are essential for understanding how species diversify. However, such studies are difficult on the millimeter-sized organisms that tend to make up the majority of earth?s diversity, as size limitations make dissections and in vivo manipulations virtually impossible. However, synchrotron-based micro-tomography scanning presents a means for gathering detailed information about internal minute biological structures in even the smallest organisms. This technique is crucial in the case of the millimeter-sized trap-jaw spider family. Within this family extremely rapid, inertia-based, jaw closing mechanisms have evolved 3-4 times independently. Synchrotron scans will allow for visualizing internal musculature and structures implicated in jaw function, but also, this technique will allow for constructing 3D computer models to be used as inputs for kinematic simulations. Results from these simulations, coupled with a pre-existing phylogeny, will allow for testing (1) the hypothesis that changes in form directly relate to changes in function; and (2) the hypothesis that patterns of species diversification are proportional to rates of morphological and functional change.Training includes learning techniques for reconstructing 3D computer models from synchrotron-based tomography scans, performing kinematic simulations, and running statistical analyses that determine shifts among lineages in rates of evolutionary diversification and functional and morphological change. Broader impacts during the course of the postdoctoral fellowship include training and mentoring undergraduates, giving guest lectures in undergraduate courses, and making results, such as 3D digital reconstructions, available online. Other opportunities for community outreach include presenting research at public venues and creating online lesson plans that facilitate the teaching of evolution.

复杂微型结构的功能和多样化率：蜘蛛中的陷阱-颚机制本研究的目标是利用工程原理来发现复杂生物结构功能中的基本机械模式，然后利用这些发现来研究进化多样化。确定功能的研究对于了解物种如何多样化至关重要。然而，这种研究很难对毫米大小的生物体，往往构成地球的大多数？的多样性，因为尺寸限制使得解剖和体内操作几乎是不可能的。然而，基于同步加速器的显微断层扫描提供了一种收集即使是最小生物体内部微小生物结构详细信息的方法。这种技术对于毫米大小的陷阱爪蜘蛛家族来说至关重要。在这个家族中，基于惯性的非常快速的颌闭合机制已经独立地进化了3 - 4次。同步加速器扫描将允许可视化内部肌肉组织和涉及颌功能的结构，而且，这种技术将允许构建3D计算机模型，用作运动学模拟的输入。从这些模拟的结果，加上预先存在的遗传学，将允许测试（1）的假设，即形式的变化直接关系到功能的变化;以及（2）物种多样化的模式与形态和功能变化的速率成比例的假设。训练包括学习从基于同步加速器的断层扫描重建3D计算机模型的技术，执行运动学模拟，并进行统计分析，以确定进化多样化以及功能和形态变化率的谱系之间的变化。在博士后奖学金的过程中，更广泛的影响包括培训和指导本科生，在本科课程中进行客座讲座，以及在线提供3D数字重建等成果。社区外展的其他机会包括在公共场所展示研究成果，以及创建促进进化论教学的在线课程计划。