Eager: New Genomic Approaches to the Evolution of Mosquito Physiology

William E.布拉德肖 IOS-1048276新的基因组方法来进化的苔藓生理学在这个研究项目的主要努力集中在确定的生理和遗传机制，控制动物的反应迅速气候变化。 这项工作旨在表明，对气候变化的遗传（进化）反应是通过改变现有基因发生的，还是涉及招募全新的基因。 确定应对快速气候变化的正确机制对于准确预测和减缓疾病媒介从热带到温带的传播、面对不断变化的世界的农业发展以及保护生物多样性都很重要。该研究计划利用了一种小型蚊子的独特品质，这种蚊子名为Wyeomyia smithii，生活在北美东部的大部分地区。 W.史密西在其活动范围的某些地方咬人，而在其活动范围的其他地方从不咬人。 这种非常不寻常的行为将通过基于微阵列的表达分析来识别改变疾病载体（如蚊子）中叮咬行为表达的基因。最后，这种小蚊子需要一个漫长的冬季“午睡”。 然而，与典型的休眠动物不同，W。即使在理想的条件下，史密斯仍然活跃，进食和生长，但不发育。 这一休息期增加了这种蚊子的寿命，并可能使我们能够分离出控制人类寿命的新基因。PI一直致力于让少数民族和本科生参与各级研究，特别强调荣誉学生从事原创独立项目。

William E. Bradshaw IOS-1048276New Genomic Approaches to the Evolution of Mosquito PhysiologyThe primary efforts in this research project focus on determining the physiological and genetic mechanisms that control the response of animals to rapid climate change. The work aims to show whether genetic (evolutionary) response to climate change has occurred by the alteration of existing genes or involves the recruitment of completely new genes. Determining the correct mechanism of response to rapid climate change is important for accurate prediction and mitigation of the spread of disease vectors from tropical to temperate zones, for agricultural development in the face of a changing world, and for conserving biodiversity.The research program takes advantage of the unique qualities of a small mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, that lives throughout much of eastern North America. W. smithii bites humans in some parts of its range and never bites humans in other parts of its range. This very unusual behavior will be exploited through a microarray-based expression analysis to identify the genes that alter expression of biting behavior in disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Finally, this small mosquito takes a long winter "nap". However, unlike typical animals that become dormant, W. smithii remains active, feeds and grows, but does not develop, even under ideal conditions. This resting period increases life span in this mosquito and may allow us to isolate novel genes that control longevity in humans.The PI has an ongoing commitment to involving minorities and undergraduates in all levels of research, with special emphasis on honors students engaging in original independent projects.