RoL: FELS: EAGER: Mining for ancient toolkits: Emergence of planar structures across kingdoms

动物界和植物界都进化出了扁平的侧面(平面)附属物，例如翅膀和叶子。尽管缺乏明显的功能相似性，但动物和植物中的平面结构可能是背部和腹部组织合并的结果，每一种组织都由不同的基因调控网络定义。这项研究将在类内和王国之间的同源和相似器官之间进行一系列比较基因表达分析，以确定是否存在共同的、也许是普遍的基因表达网络来调节平面附属物的发育。这些数据和见解可能会使生物学中新的基本概念的发展成为可能。该项目还将加强学生在本科生和研究生课程中的学习，并为参与项目的本科生提供发展批判性思维的机会。由于其地理位置和大学使命，韦恩州立大学坚定地致力于鼓励未被充分代表的第一代大学生探索科学事业，并培养对科学的深切欣赏，以维护我们的国家福利。对多种生物的研究表明，尽管背侧/腹侧(近轴/背轴)基因调控网络(GRN)对于平面结构是必要的，但它们是不够的。这一事实表明，平面发展必须有额外的、目前尚未定义的紧急GRN。实验设计基于被子植物和节肢动物选定谱系中平面和非平面同源器官以及平面和非平面非同源相似器官之间的比较转录组分析。这些比较分析将寻求发现不同级别的监管模块，并帮助确定管理平面结构发展的共同的、也许是通用的工具箱。来自RNAseq文库的数据将被映射到从头组装，以量化表达，并确定基因功能的同一性。将对基因的表达计数进行综合分析，以确定功能共表达的基因网络。最后，将通过分析网络中的蛋白质结构域来执行跨类别和王国的详细生物模式，以检测深度重叠的调节模块。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Both Animal and Plant Kingdoms have evolved flat lateral (planar) appendages, for example, wings and leaves. Despite the lack of obvious functional similarity, planar structures in animals and plants may result from the merging of dorsal and ventral tissues, each of which is defined by different gene regulatory networks. This study will carry out a series of comparative gene expression analyses across homologous and analogous organs within Classes and across Kingdoms in order to determine whether there are shared, and perhaps universal, gene expression networks regulating the development of planar appendages. The data and insights may enable the development of new fundamental concepts in biology. This project will also enhance student learning in undergraduate and graduate courses and provide opportunities for participating undergraduate students to develop their critical thinking. Due to its location and university mission, Wayne State has a deep commitment to encouraging underrepresented and first-generation college students to explore careers in science and to develop a deep appreciation of science with respect to our national welfare. Studies of multiple organisms demonstrate that although dorsal/ventral (adaxial/abaxial) gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are necessary for planar structures, they are not sufficient. This fact suggests that there must be additional, presently undefined, emergent GRNs that are required for planar development. The experimental design is based on comparative transcriptome analyses between planar and non-planar homologous organs and planar and non-planar non-homologous, analogous organs in selected lineages of angiosperms and arthropods. These comparative analyses will seek to detect regulatory modules at different levels and help identify shared and perhaps universal toolboxes governing the development of planar structures. Data from RNAseq libraries will be mapped to de novo assemblies to quantify expression, and to determine gene functional identities. Expression counts of genes will be comprehensively analyzed to identify functional co-expression gene networks. Finally, detailed biological patterning across Classes and Kingdoms will be performed through analysis of protein domains within networks to detect deep overlapping regulatory modules.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.