EAGER-Collaborative Research: Developing Genomic Tools for Integrative Biology Research

PI和合作者将利用高通量(下一代)测序技术来阐明多种不同种类的无脊椎动物眼睛和视觉的遗传成分。之所以选择要研究的动物，是因为它们的视力和/或眼睛在功能上得到了很好的研究，但缺乏广泛的遗传数据。利用新的测序技术将能够快速收集大量的遗传数据，这些数据将补充现有的视觉功能(特别是生理、发育和进化)知识体系，并将促进对动物视觉从基因到表型再到多种物种进化的综合理解。新的基因数据将在公共数据库(如http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)中提供。该项目还将产生多个更广泛的影响，包括研究生、博士后研究人员、初级和高级教职员工的教育和参与，包括在扩大代表不足群体对科学的参与方面有良好服务记录的个人。这项研究将把美国各地的视觉研究实验室联网，并与一个国际实验室(丹麦)联网。眼睛是一种引人入胜的进化创新，因此，也是科学家和达尔文进化论批评者之间持续争论的话题。该项目将提供额外的关键数据，有助于促进理解，并教育公众关于眼睛进化的知识。

The PI and collaborators will utilize high-throughput (next-generation) sequencing technologies to elucidate the genetic components of eyes and vision in multiple, diverse species of invertebrate animals. The animals to be studied were chosen because their vision and/or eyes are well-studied functionally, but lack extensive genetic data. Leveraging new sequencing technologies will enable the rapid collection of vast genetic data that will complement existing bodies of knowledge on visual function (especially physiology, development and evolution), and will facilitate an integrative understanding of animal vision from genotype to phenotype to evolution in multiple species. The new genetic data will be made available in public databases (e.g. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ ). The project will also have multiple broader impacts, including the education and participation of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior and senior faculty, including individuals with a strong record of service in broadening participation of under-represented groups in science. The research will network vision research labs across the US together and with one international lab (Denmark). Eyes are a fascinating evolutionary innovation, and are, therefore, a persistent topic of debate between scientists and critics of Darwinian evolution. This project will provide additional, key data that will help to promote understanding, and educate the public about eye evolution.