海洋底栖生物对海洋生态系统的物质循环和能量流动具有极其重要的生态功能，然而目前其底栖生活的适应机制尚不明确，突出的瓶颈是底栖生物适应性性状的基因调控网络研究匮乏。小头虫在外界底栖环境和自身繁殖双重选择压力下进化出尾部可快速再生却丢失头部再生能力的独特性状，是研究海洋底层环境适应的典型实例。前期研究揭示Wnt通路可能是其头尾部再生能力差异的关键。本课题拟在已有研究基础上，通过RNA-seq和空间原位表达筛选小头虫再生模式建成基因；借助ATAC-seq和组蛋白修饰CHIP-seq鉴定基因顺式调控元件，预测转录因子识别位点，继而以Wnt通路为节点构建再生模式建成基因调控网络；通过CRISPR/Cas9基因敲除解析头部尾部再生调控网络中的关键差异基因。在此基础上明确小头虫再生的基因调控网络及其适应性进化机制。本研究可为阐明动物再生进化以及其他海洋底栖生物的环境适应机制提供参考，具有重要的科学意义。

Marine benthos serves as backbone component for the marine ecosystem, especially in terms of energy flow and material cycling. It is not clear, however, how animals have adapted to the marine bottom environment, one of the major gaps is how the gene regulation network underlying benthic adaptation has evolved. Marine segmented worm Capitella telata is capable of posterior regeneration but lost anterior regeneration during evolution, which provides a great case of adaptive study in marine benthos. Compared to posterior regeneration, anterior regeneration stops while regeneration pattern formation. Wnt signaling, which has a conserved role in correctly specifying tissue identity along anterior-posterior axis in planarian regeneration might involve in regeneration ability difference between anterior and posterior parts in C. telata. RNA-seq and whole mount in situ hybridization will be used to identify candidate genes of C. telata regeneration. Assay for open chromatin including ATAC-seq and histone maker CHIP-seq will be used to identify cis-regulation elements and regulators of gene network in regeneration pattern formation. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing will be used to characterize major genes that distinguish anterior and posterior regeneration. Further, those experiments will be used to characterize the regulatory mechanisms through which regeneration gene networks drive ecological adaptation to marine benthic life in C. telata. Together, the results of this study will be important to study the evolution of regeneration as well as adaptation studies in other benthic organisms.