表型可塑性是指生物在环境变化时显著的改变形态、行为等性状的现象，广泛存在于各类生物中，是生物应对不同环境的重要适应性策略，并可促进物种形成以及物种间的协同演化。围绕原生动物表型可塑性的工作迄今开展甚少，特别是对其分子调控机制与演化规律的研究更几近空白。本项目以拟瞬膜虫为材料，利用群体遗传学理论和组学技术，探讨表型可塑性的分子调控机制以及演化规律，具体内容包括：（1）以全长转录组、纳米孔基因组测序以及基因编辑技术，探测与确认参与表型转换的关键基因与通路；（2）通过对不同株系比较基因组学和群体遗传学分析，阐明影响相关基因与信号通路的演化力量;（3）通过测算环境与基因型互作，推导演化模型。本研究将填补原生动物表型可塑性的调控机制研究空缺，并提供验证适应性演化的分析方法，最终揭示这种普遍生物学现象在生物演化中的功能。

Phenotypic plasticity refers to that organisms change their traits such as morphology, behavior et al. upon environmental change. This phenomenon exists in various organisms and is an important adaptation strategy. It also facilitates speciation and co-evolution between predator and prey. However, phenotypic plasticity of protozoa is rarely explored, especially its regulatory and evolutionary mechanisms. This project aims at revealing these mechanisms, using population genetics theory and –omics tools, specifically: (1) detect and confirm key genes and pathways involved in phenotypic transformation, using full-length transcriptome, Nanopore genome sequencing, and gene editing; (2) reveal the evolutionary forces governing the regulatory genes and pathways, by comparative and population genomics analysis on collected strains; (3) construct evolutionary model of phenotypic plasticity, taking advantage of measuring the interaction between genotype and environment directly. This project will fill blanks of phenotypic-plasticity regulation induced by starvation, empirically test if the phenotypic plasticity in Glauconema sp. is adaptive, and eventually reveal the role of phenotypic plasticity in evolution.