Collaborative Research: Molecular Adaptation and Gametic Competition

广泛的实验室研究表明，数量相对较少的雄性和雌性生殖蛋白在决定配子差异成功的过程中发挥着关键作用。这些分子正在调节复杂的交流，这可能是男性和女性生殖兴趣之间的对抗性相互作用。人们对这些相互作用的分子基础以及它们在野外的相对重要性知之甚少。这项研究将确定男性-男性和男性-女性交互作用的遗传基础，确定当男性竞争对手-S基因不同时，基因型和表型之间的关联如何变化，并直接确定哪些雄性生殖基因介导男性x男性交互作用。这项研究还将调查交配状况如何随着一天、季节、密度和女性基因的变化而变化，并允许尽可能直接地测试自然中的基因和表型变异之间的关系。在其更广泛的影响中，这项研究将通过直接参与研究项目来激励不同的本科生，让他们参与荣誉项目，让他们有机会在国际会议上展示结果，并激励他们追求科学研究事业。这项研究还将产生共享的基础设施，包括大量公开可用的果蝇培养物，以及公开可用的贝叶斯估计器，用于使用育苗结构化数据进行关联测试。

Extensive laboratory research indicates that a relatively small number of male and female reproductive proteins play key roles in determining differential success of gametes. These molecules are regulating complex communications in what may be antagonistic interactions between male and female reproductive interests. Little is known about the molecular basis for these interactions and their relative importance in the wild. This study will identify the genetic basis for male-male and male-female interactions, determine how associations between genotype and phenotype vary when the male competitor?s genotype varies, and directly identify which male reproductive genes mediate male x male interactions. This study also will investigate how mating status varies across the day, the season, densities and as a function of the female genotype and allow the most direct tests possible of the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic variation in nature.Among its broader impacts, this study will inspired a diverse collection of undergraduates through direct participation in research projects by engaging them in honors projects, giving them opportunities to present results at international meetings, and motivating them to pursue careers in scientific research. This study also will produce shared infrastructure, including a large number of Drosophila cultures that are openly available, and a publicly available Bayesian estimator for association testing using brood-structured data.