RIG: Genotype-specific Fertilization Success: A Test of the Hypothesis of Reinforcement in the Rapid Evolution of a Reproductive Protein

在受精过程中，精子和卵细胞（配子）结合所涉及的蛋白质是已知进化最快的蛋白质之一，并且在物种之间往往存在很大差异。这些差异被认为是物种之间以及同一物种的成员之间的某些生殖不相容性的基础。本研究的目的是确定自然选择如何导致配子结合蛋白结构变化的快速积累。这将通过在精子蛋白M7溶素彼此不同的贻贝之间进行一系列受精实验来实现。此外，不同版本的M7溶素在整个欧洲和地中海的贻贝种群的地理分布将assessed.Results的这项研究将增加重要的信息，了解人口成为生殖隔离的过程中，成功受精的机制一般。研究生和本科生都将参与该项目，所有学生都将来自目前在科学领域代表性不足的群体。这种经验将为这些学生提供一个平台，开始他们在科学领域的职业生涯。

Proteins involved in the binding of sperm and egg cells (gametes) during fertilization are known to be some of the fastest evolving and often differ greatly between species. These differences are thought to be the basis of some reproductive incompatibilities between species, and potentially between members of the same species. The goal of this study is to determine how natural selection causes the rapid accumulation of changes in the structure of gamete binding proteins. This will be accomplished by conducting a suite of fertilization experiments between mussels that differ from each other at the sperm protein M7 lysin. Also, the geographical distribution of different versions of M7 lysin in mussel populations throughout Europe and the Mediterranean will be assessed.The results of this study will add important information for understanding the process by which populations become reproductively isolated, and the mechanisms underlying successful fertilization in general. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be involved in the project and all will be from groups currently underrepresented in the sciences. This experience will provide these students with a platform to start their careers in scientific fields.