Accomplishment-Based Renewal: Hitchhiking and Molecular Evolution of the Avian Mhc

这项研究将继续利用被称为粘粒文库的基因组资源，详细研究鸟类主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)中基因的进化。MHC是一个与自然人群的抗病和易感性相关的遗传位点。这个基因座的进化过程可以与其他脊椎动物群体的进化过程进行比较，特别是哺乳动物，它们作为整个基因组计划的一部分得到了全面的研究。我们还将研究MHC内外基因座的遗传可变性，以了解MHC内可变性水平的提高是否源于杂合子优势，而非编码区、中性区域的可变性水平则相反。最后，对编码区和非编码区的遗传连锁程度进行了分析。COSMID图书馆提供的资源将允许对遗传上不太容易驯化的鸣鸟物种进行各种种群遗传学研究。这些研究对于了解高度多态的、与疾病相关的基因座在自然种群中如何变化，以及这些基因座对物理上接近染色体的中性基因座的进化轨迹的影响程度(搭便车)将是重要的。

This research will continue to use genomic resources known as cosmid libraries to study in detail the evolution of genes in the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) of birds. The Mhc is a genetic locus associated with disease resistance and susceptibility in natural populations. The evolutionary processes at this locus can be compared to processes in other vertebrate groups, in particular mammals, which are comprehensively studied as part of whole genome projects. The genetic variability of loci within and outside of Mhc will also be studied in order to understand whether elevated levels of variability within Mhc is due to heterozygote advantage, as opposed levels in the non-coding, neutral regions. Finally, the extent of genetic linkage between coding and non-coding regions will be analyzed. The resources provided by cosmid libraries will permit a variety of population genetic studies in genetically less tractable songbird species. These studies will be important for understanding how a highly polymorphic, disease-associated locus varies in natural populations and the extent to which such loci influence the evolutionary trajectories of neutral loci that are physically close on the chromosome (hitchhiking).