RUI - Testing of the Evolutionary Potential of Polyploids in the Context of Climate Change

人为的气候变化将改变自然选择的模式，并对野生生物的进化构成强烈的挑战。经历过基因组加倍或多倍体的植物物种可能比那些拥有单一基因组副本的植物物种更有优势，因为它们可以更快地进化，或者朝着新的方向进化，以应对气候变化。研究多倍体的创造作用是很重要的，因为基因组重复被认为发生在47%- 70%的开花植物物种中。本研究将测试多倍体的进化潜力，通过对染色体数目（2、4和6个拷贝）自然变化的多倍体物种（黄花、一枝黄花）施加人工选择来提高耐旱性。如果染色体数目较高的植物在人工选择中进化得更快，本研究的中心假设将得到支持。这项工作将为大量学生提供实验室和现场技术的强化实践训练，并为研究生和本科生的独立研究提供机会。这项研究通过解决社会非常感兴趣的问题，气候变化的影响，并通过为将成为下一代科学家的多样化学生提供坚实的培训，实现了RUI计划的目标。

Anthropogenic climate change will alter patterns of natural selection and pose strong evolutionary challenges to wild organisms. Plant species that have experienced genome doubling, or polyploidy, may have an advantage over those possessing a single copy of the genome because they can evolve faster or in novel directions in response to climate change. Examination of the creative role of polyploidy is important given that genome duplication is thought to have occurred in 47%-70 % of flowering plant species. This research will test the evolutionary potential of polyploids by imposing artificial selection for increased drought tolerance in a polyploid species (goldenrod, Solidago altissima) that varies naturally in chromosome number (2, 4, and 6 copies). The central hypothesis of this research will be supported if plants with higher chromosome numbers evolve faster in response to artificial selection. This work will provide a large number of students with intensive hands-on training in lab and field techniques and provide opportunities for independent research at the graduate and undergraduate level. This research fulfills the objectives of the RUI program by addressing a question of great interest to society, the impact of climate change, and by providing solid training to a diversity of students who will become the next generation of scientists.