DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The molecular basis of convergent innovations: co-option or independent origin of regulatory modules?

虽然在自然界中观察到的特征的多样性似乎是无限的，但它仍然只是可能特征的一个子集。此外，一些特征在远亲物种中反复进化。某些性状的重复起源是否反映了共同的遗传约束？控制发育的基因网络的结构可能有利于某些性状的进化，而使其他性状的起源不太可能。为了确定基因网络在塑造生物多样性中的作用，本研究将确定和比较导致两个远亲物种相似性状独立起源的分子机制。这项研究为基因型向表型的转化提供了重要的见解。PI提出了新的指导分子技术的高中和本科生从代表性不足的群体。这项研究调查了果蝇物种的远亲群体，这些果蝇物种独立地获得了类似的雄性特异性形态结构。 以前的工作表明，基因doubletex（dsx）是重要的，在这两个群体的这些特征的形成，并在dsx的DNA序列的特定变化与这些结构之一的起源。这项研究将测试相同或不同DNA序列的进化变化是否与另一组中会聚结构的起源有关。弄清这个问题将有助于确定包含dsx的遗传网络在这两组物种相似性状的独立起源中的作用。

Although the diversity of traits observed in nature can seem infinite, it still represents only a subset of possible traits. Furthermore, some traits have evolved repeatedly in distantly related species. Does repeated origin of certain traits reflect shared genetic constraints? The structure of gene networks that control development could favor the evolution of some traits while making the origin of other traits less likely. In order to determine the role of gene networks in shaping biological diversity, this study will identify and compare the molecular mechanisms that led to the independent origin of similar traits in two distantly related species. This research provides important insights into the translation of genotype to phenotype. The PIs propose novel mentoring in molecular techniques to high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented groups. The proposed study investigates distantly related groups of fruit fly species, which have independently gained similar male-specific morphological structures. Previous work has shown that the gene doublesex (dsx) is important in the formation of these traits in both groups, and that specific changes in the DNA sequence of dsx correlate with the origin of one of these structures. This research will test whether evolutionary changes in the same or different DNA sequences are associated with the origin of the convergent structure in the other group. Answering this question will help determine the role of the genetic network encompassing dsx in the independent origin of similar traits in these two groups of species.