NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology: Fitness effects of a chromosomal rearrangement in the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus)

研究员姓名：Erik funk提案号：2208925研究标题：太平洋口袋鼠（Perognathus longimembris pacificus）染色体重排列的适应性影响赞助科学家和主办机构：Aryn Wilder，圣地亚哥动物园野生动物联盟该行动资助美国国家科学基金会2022年度生物学博士后研究奖学金，综合研究调查基因组，环境和表型之间相互作用的生命规则。该奖学金支持将以创新方式对生活规则领域作出贡献的研究员的研究和培训。虽然基因的不同版本可以产生性状外观的差异，但变异也可以由于基因组结构方式的差异而产生。例如，一个物种的不同种群可能拥有不同数量的染色体。当来自不同种群的个体进行繁殖时，这种基因组结构的差异可能会导致后代的存活率和繁殖率降低。随着时间的推移，这些不相容会导致种群之间差异的积累，并可能导致新物种的形成。本项目研究当染色体数目不同时，环境和基因组对生存和繁殖的影响。本研究的重点是濒临灭绝的太平洋口袋鼠，并将有助于告知该物种的适应性管理。总的来说，这项工作将扩大我们对基因组结构差异如何以及何时导致种群不同，甚至可能不同物种的理解。此外，该项目生成的DNA序列为来自不同背景的学生提供了通过基于项目的学习来发展DNA分析技能的机会。本项目结合实验室和实地技术，以太平洋口袋鼠（Perognathus longimembris pacificus）为模型，了解染色体重排对适应性的影响。太平洋口袋鼠出现在三个孤立的种群中，在染色体裂变或融合事件后，每个种群都固定了两种不同染色体数中的一种。本研究(1)利用历史和当代样本评估染色体重排随时间的频率，(2)测量近亲繁殖的适应度效应并确定相关的基因组区域，以及(3)建立基因型与环境之间关联的模型和测试。该项目提供了独特的培训机会，以整合各种数据集，包括适应度测量、基因组数据和栖息地建模。这项工作产生的数据也为较小的研究问题提供了充足的数据，是独立研究项目的理想选择。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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。

Fellow's name: Erik FunkProposal number: 2208925Research title: Fitness effects of a chromosomal rearrangement in the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus)Sponsoring scientist(s) and host institution(s): Aryn Wilder, San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceThis action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2022, Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes. The fellowship supports research and training of the fellow that will contribute to the area of Rules of Life in innovative ways. While different versions of a gene can produce differences in the way a trait looks, variation can also arise due to differences in the way a genome is structured. For example, different populations within a species might possess different numbers of chromosomes. When individuals from different populations reproduce, this difference in genome structure might result in lower survival and lower reproduction of offspring. Over time these incompatibilities can lead to the accumulation of differences between populations and possibly lead to the formation of new species. This project studies how aspects of the environment and the genome influence survival and reproduction when chromosome numbers differ. This research focuses on the endangered Pacific pocket mouse, and will help inform the adaptive management of this species. Overall, this work will broaden our understanding of how and when differences in genome structure lead to populations becoming distinct, and possibly different species. Additionally, the DNA sequences generated by this project provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to develop skills in DNA analysis through project based learning. This project combines lab and field techniques to understand the influence of a chromosomal rearrangement on fitness using the Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) as a model. The Pacific pocket mouse occurs in three isolated populations that have each become fixed for one of two different chromosome numbers following a chromosomal fission or fusion event. This research (1) assesses the frequency of the chromosomal rearrangement over time using historical and contemporary samples, (2) measures the fitness effects of outbreeding and identifies associated genomic regions, and (3) models and tests for associations between genotype and the environment. This project provides unique training opportunities to incorporate diverse datasets including fitness measures, genomic data, and habitat modeling. The data generated by this work also provides ample data for smaller research questions, ideal for independent research projects.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.