The Origin of Genetic Interactions by Natural Selection

对基因组进化的理解直到最近才成为可能，这在很大程度上是由于比较基因组学的进步。该项目的目标是发展描述基因组进化重要组成部分的理论：遗传趋异和基因复制。等位基因的进化多样性-遗传趋异-可能先于基因复制，代表了遗传创新的重要来源。该项目将调查在生物组织的几个层次上遗传差异的选择来源，包括生物体内变异性，个体间变异性和空间环境变异性。等位基因和遗传相互作用的机制基础的特征，如基因调控，二聚化，和选择性剪接，将被用来关联在遗传分化过程中的等位基因的变化，在基因复制后的基因的变化。然后，突变的功能效应将嵌入生态动力学模型。探索生物体内和群体水平变异产生的选择的共同特征也将为一个综合性的理论奠定基础，该理论将基因组水平的进化与群体水平的表型可塑性、遗传鲁棒性和局部适应性现象联系起来。创造一种机制，让生物学中的数学理论成为日常正常活动的一部分，将有助于培养一种生物学家的文化，他们将理论视为生物学研究的正常部分。该项目将通过举办专门针对本科生和妇女的理论生物学讲习班来促进这一目标。因为有明显的榜样，提高妇女在量化领域的参与，女教师将作为演讲者参加。该讲习班还将为一名博士后研究员提供培训机会，该研究员将参与设计和演示计算机练习。这项研究的结果将通过出版物、讲座和参加专题讨论会广泛传播。

An understanding of genome evolution has only recently become possible, due in large part to the advance of comparative genomics. The goal of this project is to develop theory describing important components of genome evolution: genetic divergence and gene duplication. The evolutionary diversification of alleles - genetic divergence - may precede gene duplication and represents an important source of genetic innovation. This project will investigate sources of selection for genetic divergence at several levels of biological organization, including within-organism variability, between-individual variability, and spatial environmental variability. Features of the mechanistic basis of allelic and genetic interactions, such as gene regulation, dimerization, and alternative splicing, will be used to relate changes in alleles during genetic divergence to changes in genes following gene duplication. The functional effects of mutation will then be embedded in models of ecological dynamics. Exploring the common features of selection generated by within-organism and population level variability will also lay groundwork for a comprehensive theory relating evolution at the genome level to the population level phenomena of phenotypic plasticity, genetic robustness, and local adaptation.The importance of a quantitative approach to all aspects of biology cannot be overstated. Creating mechanisms that allow mathematical theory in biology to be presented as part of everyday normal activities will help develop a culture of biologists who embrace theory as a normal part of biological research. This project will contribute to this goal by holding workshops in theoretical biology that are specifically targeted at undergraduate students and women. Because having visible role models enhances participation of women in quantitative fields, women faculty will participate as presenters. This workshop will also serve as a training opportunity for a post-doctoral researcher who will be involved in designing and demonstrating computer exercises. The results of this research will be widely disseminated through publications, lectures, and participation in symposia.