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

论文研究：雷马隐杆线虫进化系隐性遗传变异的分子基础

• 批准号: 1210922
• 负责人: William Cresko
• 金额: $ 1.42万
• 依托单位: University of Oregon Eugene
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-06-01 至 2014-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1210922&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Molecular; Basis; Cryptic

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.

生物如何生存并适应新颖的压力条件？然而，在正常环境中未暴露的遗传变异（称为隐性遗传变异）可能会通过新型环境中的表型可塑性暴露。我们对神秘遗传变异的理解的关键差距是鉴定其分子基础和进化。当暴露于实验室中与生态相关的压力环境时，雷米尼（Caenorhabditis Remanei）的线虫因选择而迅速发展，种群改变了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线中发生的关键遗传和转录变化，从而能够鉴定基因和发育途径，这些基因和发育途径暴露了新环境中的隐性变化。目前，对新环境对这种隐秘遗传变化的暴露如何影响自然含量的进化。随着全球气候变化迅速改变栖息地并创造了新的环境，许多经济和保护问题都面临着新的环境挑战。因此，了解环境因素如何与人群中的基因相互作用以指导进化变化变得越来越重要。这项研究改善了我们对这一过程的理解。