Connecting Molecular and Phenotypic Variation in Drosophila

最近的技术进步使对自然种群的分子变异进行大规模分析成为可能。然而，对这种变异的表型后果知之甚少。该项目的目标是了解将DNA序列变异转化为个体间表型差异的机制，以果蝇基因为模型。在自然种群中，性别二态性状的很大一部分变异是由Bab引起的。在这个项目中，将对100个表现出不同表型的果蝇品系的整个bab基因组区域进行测序，以确定与表型变异相关的DNA序列变化。然后在表现出最大表型差异的品系中量化bab基因产物的水平，并确定每种分子多态性对基因活性的影响。这些数据将用于开发一个定量模型，将DNA序列的变异与个体发育的差异联系起来，并最终与成人特征联系起来。该项目将通过促进和理解将遗传变异与健康和环境联系起来的机制，促进对人类健康的个性化方法的发展——也就是说，不仅是哪些DNA序列变化导致了性状变异，而且这些变化如何产生不同的表型，以及它们为什么在性质上有所不同。这项工作也将为本科生提供获得进化生物学第一手研究经验的机会。

Recent technological advances have enabled large-scale analyses of molecular variation in natural populations. Very little is known, however, about the phenotypic consequences of this variation. The goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms that translate DNA sequence variation into phenotypic differences among individuals, using the Drosophila bab gene as a model. bab is responsible for a large proportion of variation in sexually dimorphic traits in natural populations. In this project, the entire bab genomic region will be sequenced from 100 Drosophila lines that show different phenotypes in order to identify DNA sequence changes associated with phenotypic variation. The level of bab gene product will then be quantified in the lines that show the greatest phenotypic differences, and the effects of each molecular polymorphism on gene activity will be determined. These data will be used to develop a quantitative model that links variation in DNA sequences to differences in individual development and, ultimately, in adult traits.This project will facilitate the development of individualized approaches to human health by facilitating and understanding of the mechanisms that connect genetic variation to health and environment - that is, not only which DNA sequence changes are responsible for trait variation, but also how these changes produce different phenotypes, and why do they vary in nature. This work will also provide opportunities for undergraduate students to acquire first-hand research experience in evolutionary biology.