Beyond Drosophila: Comparative transcriptomics of schizophoran flies to resolve a rapid radiation

大规模的果蝇基因比较研究目前仅限于蚊子和果蝇复合体。果蝇属于裂殖目（Schizophora），裂殖目是一组有超过50，000种的苍蝇，包括模式生物、疾病媒介和农业害虫。裂殖目的系统发育关系知之甚少，因为苍蝇在过去非常迅速地多样化，几乎没有留下遗传线索来破译关系。 研究人员将使用一种新的创新方法，利用转录组DNA测序的力量来揭示成千上万的遗传线索，以破译物种的这种快速辐射。 这项研究将产生一个直系同源数据库，使其他昆虫研究人员能够研究各种昆虫的基因。这项研究将通过探索更广泛的基因进化来推进我们对昆虫进化的理解。研究人员还将为一名博士生和几名本科生提供现代进化研究的全面培训。苍蝇生物多样性和基于进化的推广将通过与北卡罗来纳州罗利的自然研究中心合作开发和展示。研究结果将被用于教育材料，以促进研究，进化的理解，并向公众和k-16物种保护。

Large comparative studies of fly genes are currently limited to mosquitoes and the Drosophila (fruit fly) complex. Drosophila belongs to Schizophora, a group of flies with over 50,000 species that includes model organisms, disease vectors, and agricultural pests. Schizophoran phylogenetic relationships are poorly understood because flies diversified very rapidly in the past, leaving few genetic clues to decipher relationships. The investigators will use a new and innovative approach that harnesses the power of transcriptome DNA sequencing to reveal thousands of genetic clues to decipher this rapid radiation of species. This research will generate an ortholog database that will allow other insect researchers to study genes across a wide diversity of insects. The study will advance our understanding of insect evolution by exploring the evolution of a wider range of genes. The researchers will also provide comprehensive training to a PhD student and several undergraduates in modern evolutionary research. Fly biodiversity and evolution-based outreach will be developed and presented through collaboration with Nature Research Center in Raleigh, NC. Results of the study will be used in educational materials to promote research, the understanding of evolution, and species conservation to the public and k-16.