Adaptation genomics of wild tomatoes

由于野生番茄物种生活在不同的生境中，从中等到非常干燥的条件，从海平面到海拔3500米，它们被认为是研究植物对非生物胁迫适应的理想模式系统。通过对智利茄（Solanum chilense）种群的全面采样，涵盖其分布范围和多样的生境，采用两种互补的方法（种群基因组学和候选基因分析），从而利用下一代测序（NGS）技术的优势，研究适应性的基因组特征。基于基因组水平的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）数据和一套群体遗传学测试，我们将确定“离群”基因座，这些基因座最近受到了积极的选择。然后，利用几十个候选基因和最新的分析方法，我们将适应性表型变异与基因联系起来。该项目将促进我们对植物适应性的理解。

As wild tomato species dwell in a variety of habitats, ranging from mesic to very dry conditions and from sea level up to 3500m in elevation, they are regarded as ideal model system for studying adaptation to abiotic stresses in plants. With a comprehensive sampling of populations of Solanum chilense, covering its distributional range and diverse habitats, we investigate the genomic signatures of adaptation employing two complementary approaches (population genomics and candidate gene analysis), thereby utilizing advantages of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies. Based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data at the genomic level and a suite of population genetic tests, we will determine ‘outlier’ loci, which have been subject to recent positive selection. Then, using dozens of candidate genes and up-to-date analytical methods, we will link adaptive phenotypic variation to genes. The project will promote our understanding of adaptation in plants.