DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Transcriptomic basis of convergent evolution in bioluminescent squid

趋同进化的现象让不同学科的科学家着迷。融合特征的经典例子，如脊椎动物和头足类动物的摄像眼睛或蝙蝠、鸟类和昆虫的翅膀，提醒我们进化的有效性以及有机体共有的共同环境限制。然而，趋同的分子过程在多大程度上推动结构趋同仍不清楚。这项研究调查了可能的分子解决方案的数量？因为自然选择所偏爱的性状和结构性解决方案的数量一样有限。通过研究基因表达谱，这个项目解决了自然选择的压力是否影响基因组资源并导致类似遗传途径的独立部署。收敛形式的生物发光通常起源于不同的生命形式，为研究收敛进化提供了一个很好的系统。在头足类动物中，一种依赖于发光共生细菌的生物发光形式已经进化了多次。这项研究调查容纳这些细菌的专门器官所需基因的表达谱是否与具有共同进化历史的器官(眼睛、脑等)之间的谱相似。这项工作的结果对于我们理解基因表达进化和动物-细菌共生进化具有重要的意义。

The phenomenon of convergent evolution fascinates scientists across disciplines. Classic examples of convergent traits, such as the camera-eyes in vertebrates and cephalopods or the wings of bats, birds and insects, remind us of the efficacy of evolution as well as the common environmental constraints shared by organisms. Yet, the extent to which convergent molecular processes drive structural convergence remains unclear. This study investigates if the number of possible ?molecular solutions? for a trait favored by natural selection is as limited as the number of structural solutions. By investigating gene expression profiles, this project addresses whether the pressure of natural selection influences genomic resourcefulness and causes the independent deployment of similar genetic pathways.Convergent forms of bioluminescence have originated often across diverse forms of life, providing an excellent system for investigating convergent evolution. Within cephalopods, a form of bioluminescence reliant on a luminous symbiotic bacterium has evolved multiple times. This study investigates if the expression profiles for genes required for the specialized organ housing these bacteria are as similar as the profiles between organs that share an evolutionary history (eyes, brain, etc.). Results of this work have important consequences for our understanding of gene expression evolution and the evolution of animal-bacteria symbiosis.