DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The evolutionary genetics of cellular and biochemical adaptation in Drosophila

论文研究：果蝇细胞和生化适应的进化遗传学。MontoothCo-PI：布兰登S. CooperAbstract：生物体在空间和时间上都经历着可变的环境。温度和有毒化合物等因素的变化可以引起自然选择，从而适应当地条件。在机制层面上，这些适应涉及响应环境的生理和细胞过程的变化。这项研究将使用分子生物学，分析化学，遗传学和生理学技术来评估环境温度对细胞膜的影响，以及环境毒性（例如，乙醇）对乙醇解毒途径中三种酶的活性的影响。具体而言，该研究旨在测试预测，即变温环境有利于细胞膜重塑的演变，以及乙醇的有效解毒取决于该途径中三种酶之间的相互作用。这些数据将用于构建新的进化模型，帮助预测生物体对变化环境的反应。该项目将为科学界代表性不足的本科生提供参与研究的机会。在一所只有70%的学生通过国家科学水平考试的贫困学校，向小学生进行宣传将提高科学素养。co-PI与当地小学教师合作，为学生提供基础科学的经验，并教授科学探究的过程。将制定一些项目，使教师能够改善学校的科学教育。因为这项研究评估了生物体对温度变化的反应的演变，结果也将使PI和co-PI更好地了解生物体如何应对和适应不断变化的环境。此外，收集和构建的苍蝇种群将提供给科学界。

DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The evolutionary genetics of cellular and biochemical adaptation in Drosophila.PI: Kristi L. MontoothCo-PI: Brandon S. CooperAbstract:Organisms experience variable environments in both space and time. Variation in factors like temperature and toxic compounds can cause natural selection that results in adaptation to local conditions. At the mechanistic level, these adaptations involve changes in physiological and cellular processes in response to the environment. This research will use techniques from molecular biology, analytical chemistry, genetics and physiology to evaluate the impact of environmental temperature on cell membranes, and of environmental toxicity (e.g., ethanol) on the activities of three enzymes in the ethanol detoxification pathway. Specifically, the research aims to test the prediction that variable temperature environments favor the evolution of cell membrane remodeling, and that efficient detoxification of ethanol depends on interactions between the three enzymes in this pathway. These data will then be used to construct new evolutionary models that help predict the responses of organisms to changing environments.This project will provide opportunities for undergraduate students from groups underrepresented in the sciences to participate in the research. Outreach to elementary school children at a disadvantaged school, where only 70% passed the state proficiency test for science, will increase scientific literacy. The co-PI collaborates with the local elementary school teachers, providing experiences for the students in basic science and teaching the process of scientific inquiry. Projects will be developed enabling teachers to improve science education at their school. Because this research evaluates the evolution of organismal responses to changing temperatures, the results will also enable the PI and co-PI to provide a better understanding of how organisms respond and adapt to changing environments. Further, the populations of flies collected and constructed will be made available to the scientific community.