Dissertation Research: Molecular Basis of Cryptic Genetic Variation in Evolved Lines of Caenorhabditis remanei

生物体是如何在新的、有压力的环境中生存和适应的？在正常环境中不暴露的遗传变异（称为隐性遗传变异）可能在新环境中通过表型可塑性暴露出来。我们对隐性遗传变异的理解的一个关键空白是其分子基础和进化的鉴定。当在实验室中暴露于生态相关的压力环境时，隐杆线虫在选择反应中迅速进化，种群改变其对替代环境的反应。pi将使用下一代测序技术来识别这些进化系中发生的关键遗传和转录变化，从而能够识别在新环境中暴露隐藏变异的基因和发育途径。目前，人们对新环境暴露于这种隐性遗传变异如何影响自然种群的进化知之甚少。随着全球气候变化迅速改变栖息地并创造新的环境，许多受经济和保护关注的物种面临着新的环境挑战。因此，了解环境因素如何与种群中的基因相互作用以指导进化变化变得越来越重要。这项研究提高了我们对这一过程的理解。

How do organisms survive in and adapt to novel, stressful conditions? Genetic variation that is not exposed in a normal environment (called cryptic genetic variation) may nevertheless be exposed through phenotypic plasticity in novel environments. A key gap in our understanding of cryptic genetic variation is the identification of its molecular basis and evolution. When exposed to ecologically relevant stressful environments in the lab, the nematode Caenorhabditis remanei evolves rapidly in response to selection, and populations alter their response to alternative environments. The PIs will use next-generation sequencing technology to identify the key genetic and transcriptional changes that have occurred in these evolved lines, enabling the identification of genes and developmental pathways that expose cryptic variation in new environments.Currently little is known about how the exposure of this cryptic genetic variation by a new environment can impact evolution in natural populations. As global climate change rapidly alters habitats and creates novel environments, many species of economic and conservation concern are faced with new environmental challenges. Thus it is becoming increasingly important to understand how environmental factors interact with genes in populations to direct evolutionary change. This research improves our understanding of this process.