Real time quantitative PCR system

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Reproductive traits have been shown to experience rapid changes among species, and such pattern of rapid change can also be found in DNA sequence analysis of genes with a role in reproduction. Rapid evolution can be shaped by intra and intersexual competition for mating success as well as postmating events that influence fertilization. My goal is to identify genes that contribute to differences in fitness caused by differences in sperm development, sperm competitive interactions prior to fertilization (i.e. sperm competition) and sperm × female interactions affecting fertilization. It is known that there is a genetic basis to differences in fertilization success, but the approach generally used provides no identification of single genes. It is now possible to survey entire genomes for differences in gene expression that associate with differences in fitness. My work shall contribute to identify genes with patterns of expression that associate with differences in sperm development and fertilization success. Real time quantitative assays of gene expression are needed to identify such genes through proper quantification of differences in gene expression. Identifying specific genes that are responsible for differences in sperm development, sperm competitive ability and fertilization success will shed light on the genetic basis of reproductive characters contributing to infertility, reproductive isolation between species and male × female reproductive interactions. Genes identified in this project will be used in comparative genomic searches of sequence similarities suggestive of conserved function and adaptive changes linked to evolutionary transitions. Genes identified in Drosophila can serve as candidates for assays in insects of commercial value that could be tested in laboratory conditions. As well, genes controlling sperm development in Drosophila have homologs in humans (e.g. boule) and so the characterization of the sperm development transcriptome in fruit flies will help in search of candidate genes affecting human male fertility.