Inferring weak and strong selection with comparative genomic data from sea urchins

物种间累积的遗传差异可能是随机遗传漂移或自然选择的结果。然而，漂移和选择在导致物种间观察到的差异方面的相对重要性仍然知之甚少。这项研究将使用近缘海胆物种来解决进化遗传学领域中的几个基本问题。首先，在观察到的物种间遗传变化中，有多大比例是由自然选择引起的？第二，所选择的变化是最近在现有物种中发生的，还是反映了更早以前发生的适应？第三，哪些特定的DNA区域显示了过去自然选择的证据，这些变化能用已知的生物过程(如繁殖或抗病)来解释吗？PIS将使用八种海胆的完整基因组序列来研究这些问题。他们的结果将为选择作为基因组进化的一种力量的重要性提供新的见解。该项目将启动生物学家和生物统计学家之间的合作。本科生将参与该项目，并学习实验设计和数据分析的技术。该项目高度重视向更广泛的科学界传播计算和分析工具。

Genetic differences that accumulate between species can result from the action of either random genetic drift or natural selection. However, the relative importance of drift vs. selection in causing the differences observed between species remains poorly understood. This study will use closely related species of Strongylocentrotid sea urchins to address several fundamental questions in the field of evolutionary genetics. First, what proportion of the genetic changes observed between species has been caused by natural selection? Second, have the selected changes occurred recently within existing species or do they reflect adaptation occurring further back in time? Third, what are the specific DNA regions that show evidence of past natural selection and can these changes be explained by known biological processes (such as reproduction or disease resistance)? The PIs will use complete genome sequences from eight species of sea urchin to investigate these questions. Their results will provide new insights into the importance of selection as a force for genome evolution.This project will initiate collaborations between biologists and biological statisticians. Undergraduates will participate in the project and learn techniques of experimental design and data analysis. The project places a high priority on the dissemination of computational and analytic tools to the broader scientific community.