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

论文研究方向：果蝇细胞和生化适应的进化遗传学。摘要：生物在空间和时间上都经历着不同的环境。温度和有毒化合物等因素的变化会导致自然选择，从而适应当地条件。在机制层面上，这些适应涉及生理和细胞过程的变化，以响应环境。本研究将使用分子生物学、分析化学、遗传学和生理学等技术来评估环境温度对细胞膜的影响，以及环境毒性（如乙醇）对乙醇解毒途径中三种酶活性的影响。具体而言，该研究旨在验证以下预测：可变温度环境有利于细胞膜重塑的进化，以及乙醇的有效解毒依赖于这一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，以帮助预测生物体对不断变化的环境的反应。该项目将为来自科学领域代表性不足群体的本科生提供参与研究的机会。在一所处境不利的学校，只有70%的小学生通过了国家科学能力测试，向这些学校的小学生伸出援手将提高他们的科学素养。该项目与当地小学教师合作，为学生提供基础科学方面的经验，并教授科学探究的过程。将制定项目，使教师能够改善他们学校的科学教育。由于这项研究评估了生物对温度变化的反应进化，结果也将使PI和co-PI更好地了解生物如何响应和适应不断变化的环境。此外，收集和构建的果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.