NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology: Fitness effects of a chromosomal rearrangement in the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus)

研究员姓名：Erik Funk提案编号：2208925研究题目：太平洋袖珍鼠（Perognathus longimembris pacificus）染色体重排的适应性效应赞助科学家和主办机构：Aryn怀尔德，圣地亚哥动物园野生动物联盟这项行动资助了2022财年美国国家科学基金会生物学博士后研究奖学金，综合研究调查基因组，环境和表型之间的生命管理相互作用的规则。该研究金支持研究员的研究和培训，以创新的方式为生活规则领域做出贡献。虽然基因的不同版本可以产生性状外观的差异，但由于基因组结构的差异，也可能出现变异。例如，一个物种中的不同种群可能拥有不同数量的染色体。当来自不同种群的个体繁殖时，基因组结构的这种差异可能导致后代的存活率和繁殖率降低。随着时间的推移，这些不相容性可能导致种群之间差异的积累，并可能导致新物种的形成。该项目研究当染色体数目不同时，环境和基因组方面如何影响生存和繁殖。这项研究的重点是濒临灭绝的太平洋口袋鼠，并将有助于为该物种的适应性管理提供信息。总的来说，这项工作将扩大我们对基因组结构差异如何以及何时导致种群变得不同，甚至可能是不同物种的理解。此外，该项目产生的DNA序列为来自不同背景的学生提供了机会，通过基于项目的学习来发展DNA分析技能。 该项目结合了实验室和现场技术，以太平洋口袋鼠（Perognathus longimembris pacificus）为模型，了解染色体重排对适应性的影响。太平洋袖珍鼠存在于三个孤立的种群中，每个种群在染色体分裂或融合事件后都固定了两个不同的染色体数目之一。本研究（1）使用历史和当代样本评估染色体重排随时间推移的频率，（2）测量远系繁殖的适应性效应并确定相关的基因组区域，（3）模型和测试基因型与环境之间的关联。该项目提供了独特的培训机会，以整合不同的数据集，包括健身措施，基因组数据和栖息地建模。这项工作产生的数据也为较小的研究问题提供了充足的数据，非常适合独立研究项目。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Fellow's name: Erik FunkProposal number: 2208925Research title: Fitness effects of a chromosomal rearrangement in the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus)Sponsoring scientist(s) and host institution(s): Aryn Wilder, San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceThis action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2022, Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes. The fellowship supports research and training of the fellow that will contribute to the area of Rules of Life in innovative ways. While different versions of a gene can produce differences in the way a trait looks, variation can also arise due to differences in the way a genome is structured. For example, different populations within a species might possess different numbers of chromosomes. When individuals from different populations reproduce, this difference in genome structure might result in lower survival and lower reproduction of offspring. Over time these incompatibilities can lead to the accumulation of differences between populations and possibly lead to the formation of new species. This project studies how aspects of the environment and the genome influence survival and reproduction when chromosome numbers differ. This research focuses on the endangered Pacific pocket mouse, and will help inform the adaptive management of this species. Overall, this work will broaden our understanding of how and when differences in genome structure lead to populations becoming distinct, and possibly different species. Additionally, the DNA sequences generated by this project provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to develop skills in DNA analysis through project based learning. This project combines lab and field techniques to understand the influence of a chromosomal rearrangement on fitness using the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) as a model. The Pacific pocket mouse occurs in three isolated populations that have each become fixed for one of two different chromosome numbers following a chromosomal fission or fusion event. This research (1) assesses the frequency of the chromosomal rearrangement over time using historical and contemporary samples, (2) measures the fitness effects of outbreeding and identifies associated genomic regions, and (3) models and tests for associations between genotype and the environment. This project provides unique training opportunities to incorporate diverse datasets including fitness measures, genomic data, and habitat modeling. The data generated by this work also provides ample data for smaller research questions, ideal for independent research projects.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.