Sperm, speciation and gene drives in evolution

进化中的精子、物种形成和基因驱动

• 批准号: RGPIN-2018-05098
• 负责人: Cutter, Asher
• 金额: $ 5.68万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=692030
• 关键词: Sperm; speciation; gene; drives; evolution

Two of the fundamental features of the living world are seemingly invisible in everyday experience: evolutionary change and the DNA of our genomes. But in the lab, rapidly developing animals like the elegant roundworm' C. elegans let us observe real evolution across scores of generations in just weeks. Moreover, the genomic biotechnology revolution of the past decade lets us access root causes of differences between individuals and species, so we can capture a complete genetic snapshot of evolution. What happens when we combine experimental evolution with genome sequencing is biological cinematography: by collecting genomic information over time, we record a genomic movie'. This research aims to record and analyze movies of evolutionary genomic change for C. elegans to test and understand 1) dynamics of new CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive' biotechnology for genetic engineering biocontrol and 2) genomic causes of incompatibility between species that keeps gene pools separate. In parallel, 3) we conduct experiments to understand rapid evolution of a special cell type, sperm cells, that we discovered to cause reproductive barriers between species. By integrating whole-genome analysis with evolution experiments and mechanistic studies, this research makes tangible the abstract foundations of the living world to help explain the origins and maintenance of biodiversity.******1. Gene Drive Evolution: New CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive biotech provides an innovative means to fight pest species by engineering their populations for biocontrol, to thwart environmental degradation and improve public health. But release of gene drives into nature presents serious ethical, practical, and environmental concerns. This research will test predictions about gene drive spread across dozens of generations in realistic lab circumstances using C. elegans as an ideal and low-risk model. This real-time study of evolution is crucial to developing evidence-based policy and procedures.***2. Speciation Genomics: What genomic changes keep one group of individuals separate from another to create and maintain biodiversity? We use an experimental evolutionary genomics approach, hybridizing two closely-related nematode roundworm species. We then use evolutionary genomic movie-making' to home in on genes that diverged and test how they disrupt genetic networks and developmental programs in hybrids to cause gonad and embryonic defects, yet facilitate proper function within pure species.***3. Sperm Evolution: We discovered a fascinating new way that genetic systems can evolve mismatches: sperm cell migration into the body cavity that causes female sterility and death. We are using this convenient cellular microcosm to explore evolutionary cell biology using high-powered microscopy and genetic editing to understand the general evolutionary processes that shape the morphology and behavior of such fundamental cells as gametes.

在日常体验中，生活世界的两个基本特征似乎是看不见的：进化变化和我们的基因组的DNA。但是在实验室中，快速发展的动物，例如优雅的round虫秀丽隐杆线虫，让我们在短短几周内就可以观察到几个世代的实际演变。此外，过去十年的基因组生物技术革命使我们能够访问个人和物种之间差异的根本原因，因此我们可以捕获完整的进化遗传快照。当我们将实验进化与基因组测序结合在一起时，会发生什么是生物摄影：通过随着时间的推移收集基因组信息，我们记录了一部基因组电影。这项研究旨在记录和分析秀丽隐杆线虫测试和理解的进化基因组变化的电影1）新的CRISPR/CAS9基因驱动器的动态'用于基因工程生物控制的生物技术和2）基因组原因是使基因池分开的物种之间不相容的基因组原因。同时，3）我们进行实验以了解特殊细胞类型的精子细胞的快速演化，我们发现该细胞会引起物种之间的生殖屏障。通过将全基因组分析与进化实验和机械研究相结合，这项研究使得有助于生活世界的抽象基础，以帮助解释生物多样性的起源和维持。****** 1。基因驱动器的演变：新的CRISPR/CAS9基因驱动生物技术提供了一种创新的手段，可以通过工程为生物控制，挫败环境降解并改善公共卫生来与害虫物种作斗争。但是，释放基因驱动器会带来严重的道德，实践和环境问题。这项研究将测试有关基因驱动的预测，在现实的实验室环境中，使用秀丽隐杆线虫作为理想和低风险的模型在现实的实验室环境中分散。这项对进化的实时研究对于制定循证政策和程序至关重要。*** 2。物种基因组学：哪些基因组变化使一组个体与另一组分开以创造和维持生物多样性？我们使用实验性进化基因组学方法，杂交两个密切相关的线虫round虫物种。然后，我们使用进化的基因组电影制作”来融入差异的基因，并测试它们如何破坏杂种中的遗传网络和发展程序，以引起性腺和胚胎缺陷，但促进纯物种中的适当功能。*** 3。精子进化：我们发现了一种引人入胜的新方法，遗传系统可以进化不匹配：精子细胞迁移到体腔中，导致女性不育和死亡。我们使用这种方便的细胞缩影来使用高功率显微镜和遗传编辑来探索进化细胞生物学，以了解塑造配子等基本细胞的形态和行为的一般进化过程。