Reproductive Isolation by the Adaptive Divergence of Fertilization Proteins

物种形成的分子基础仍然是进化生物学中悬而未决的问题之一。最近的研究表明，生殖蛋白的快速进化可能参与了生殖隔离和物种形成。本研究旨在探讨鲍属鲍生殖基因的功能与演化。这些研究旨在通过生殖分子的快速分化来进一步了解物种形成的过程。虽然这一建议的重点是属鲍，它是相关的更广泛的规模，所有的分类群体。快速进化的生殖蛋白质已经在广泛的植物和动物中被观察到，如硅藻、绿色藻类、人类和海洋无脊椎动物。了解为什么生殖分子存在如此大的多样性是至关重要的，以便全面了解生殖分子。这项建议旨在扩大对产生这种多样性的机制及其功能后果的了解。一个积极的推广计划将使少数民族学生参与研究。

The molecular basis of speciation remains one of the outstanding questions in evolutionary biology. Recent studies have indicated that the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins may be involved in the reproductive isolation and speciation. This proposal will investigate the function and evolution of reproductive genes in abalone of the genus Haliotis. These studies are designed to gain a further understanding of the process of speciation through the rapid divergence of reproductive molecules. Although this proposal focuses on the genus Haliotis, it is relevant on a broader scale to all taxonomic groups. Rapidly evolving reproductive proteins have been observed in a wide array of plants and animals, such as diatoms, green algae, humans, and marine invertebrates. An understanding of why such great diversity exists in reproductive molecules is crucial in order to have a complete understanding of the molecules involved in reproduction. This proposal is aimed at extending knowledge on the mechanisms generating this diversity and its functional consequences. An active outreach program will integrate minority students in the research.