The Genetic Basis of Differences Between the Sexes

由于对基因功能，特别是对与这些疾病直接相关的遗传机制（如基因组印记）的基本认识取得进展，改进了针对癌症等遗传疾病的医疗干预措施成为可能。此外，在全球气候变化的时代，对世代内和世代间环境影响的理解至关重要。最近的理论和证据表明，对两性二态特征的研究可能是更好地理解这些现象的关键。拟议的研究将加强澳大利亚在进化遗传学方面的领导地位，增进对本地动物群的了解，并增进我们对影响人类健康的生物现象的了解。

Improved medical interventions against genetic disorders like cancer are made possible by advances in fundamental understanding of gene function and, especially, genetic mechanisms (like genomic imprinting) that are directly implicated in these disorders. Furthermore, an understanding of environmental effects within and across generations is vital in an age of global climate change. Recent theory and evidence suggest that research on sexually dimorphic traits may hold a key to a better understanding of these phenomena. The proposed research will strengthen Australia's position as leader in evolutionary genetics, enhance knowledge of native fauna, and improve our understanding of biological phenomena that affect human health.