DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genomic and phenotypic evolution in synthetic and natural allotetraploid Mimulus

全基因组复制，也被称为多倍体，在多种生物的进化过程中多次发生，包括大多数有价值的作物，并且可能是新性状进化起源的关键机制。控制新复制基因命运的遗传机制和进化力量，以及这些力量如何导致大规模的基因组变化是未知的。本研究将利用超高通量DNA测序技术来检验关于新兴模式野花属Mimulus多倍体进化的特定假设。在自然发生的多倍体中发生的基因组和表型进化将与实验产生的合成多倍体进行比较。这项研究将为多倍体对生态重要性状的影响提供新的见解，包括影响生物生存和繁殖的性状与环境的关系。由于许多作物都是多倍体起源，因此深入了解多倍体的直接和长期影响可能为作物改良提供有希望的途径。建议的研究也将为有才华的本科生和高中生提供许多新的途径，使他们在生态学、进化学、基因组学和生物信息学方面进行独立但相关的研究项目。

Whole genome duplication, also known as polyploidy, has occurred many times during the evolution of a wide variety of organisms, including most valuable crops, and may be a critical mechanism for the evolutionary origin of novel traits. The genetic mechanisms and evolutionary forces that govern the fate of newly duplicated genes, and how these forces lead to broad-scale genomic changes are unknown. This study will utilize ultra high-throughput DNA sequencing technology to test specific hypotheses regarding evolution in polyploids in the emerging model wildflower genus Mimulus. The genomic and phenotypic evolution that has taken place in naturally-occurring polyploids will be compared to experimentally-generated synthetic polyploids. This study will provide novel insight into the effects of polyploidy on ecologically-important traits, including traits affecting the survival and reproduction of organisms in relation to their environment. Because many crops are of polyploid origin, a thorough understanding of the immediate and long-term effects of polyploidy may provide promising avenues for crop improvement. The proposed research also will provide many novel avenues for talented undergraduate and high school students to conduct independent, but related research projects in ecology, evolution, genomics, and bioinformatics.