RoL: FELS: EAGER: Mining for ancient toolkits: Emergence of planar structures across kingdoms

动物界和植物界都进化出了扁平的侧部（平面）附属物，例如翅膀和叶子。尽管缺乏明显的功能相似性，但动物和植物的平面结构可能是由背侧和腹侧组织合并而成的，其中每一个组织都由不同的基因调控网络定义。 本研究将对纲内和界内的同源和类似器官进行一系列比较基因表达分析，以确定是否存在共同的、甚至是普遍的基因表达网络来调节平面附属物的发育。这些数据和见解可能有助于生物学中新的基本概念的发展。该项目还将提高学生在本科和研究生课程中的学习，并为参与的本科生提供发展批判性思维的机会。由于其地理位置和大学的使命，韦恩州立大学有一个深刻的承诺，鼓励代表性不足和第一代大学生探索科学事业，并发展科学与尊重我们的国家福利深刻的赞赏。多种生物的研究表明，虽然背/腹（近轴/远轴）基因调控网络（GRNs）是必要的平面结构，他们是不够的。这一事实表明，必须有额外的，目前未定义的，新兴的GRN是必需的平面发展。实验设计是基于平面和非平面同源器官和平面和非平面非同源，在选定的被子植物和节肢动物谱系的类似器官之间的比较转录组分析。 这些比较分析将寻求检测不同层次的监管模块，并帮助确定共同的，也许是通用的工具箱，管理平面结构的发展。 来自RNAseq文库的数据将被映射到从头组装以量化表达，并确定基因功能身份。基因的表达计数将被全面分析，以确定功能性共表达基因网络。 最后，将通过分析网络中的蛋白质结构域来检测深度重叠的调控模块，从而实现跨类别和王国的详细生物模式。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Both Animal and Plant Kingdoms have evolved flat lateral (planar) appendages, for example, wings and leaves. Despite the lack of obvious functional similarity, planar structures in animals and plants may result from the merging of dorsal and ventral tissues, each of which is defined by different gene regulatory networks. This study will carry out a series of comparative gene expression analyses across homologous and analogous organs within Classes and across Kingdoms in order to determine whether there are shared, and perhaps universal, gene expression networks regulating the development of planar appendages. The data and insights may enable the development of new fundamental concepts in biology. This project will also enhance student learning in undergraduate and graduate courses and provide opportunities for participating undergraduate students to develop their critical thinking. Due to its location and university mission, Wayne State has a deep commitment to encouraging underrepresented and first-generation college students to explore careers in science and to develop a deep appreciation of science with respect to our national welfare. Studies of multiple organisms demonstrate that although dorsal/ventral (adaxial/abaxial) gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are necessary for planar structures, they are not sufficient. This fact suggests that there must be additional, presently undefined, emergent GRNs that are required for planar development. The experimental design is based on comparative transcriptome analyses between planar and non-planar homologous organs and planar and non-planar non-homologous, analogous organs in selected lineages of angiosperms and arthropods. These comparative analyses will seek to detect regulatory modules at different levels and help identify shared and perhaps universal toolboxes governing the development of planar structures. Data from RNAseq libraries will be mapped to de novo assemblies to quantify expression, and to determine gene functional identities. Expression counts of genes will be comprehensively analyzed to identify functional co-expression gene networks. Finally, detailed biological patterning across Classes and Kingdoms will be performed through analysis of protein domains within networks to detect deep overlapping regulatory modules.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.