Using comparative genomics to identify genes responsible for adaptation to environmental toxins

美国国家人类基因组研究所致力于对10种不同果蝇物种的基因组进行测序。我们将搜索这些基因组，以及另外两个已经可用的基因组，寻找让苍蝇能够应对它们赖以生存和繁殖的植物中发现的环境毒素的基因。这些相同的基因具有降解许多用于控制害虫的杀虫剂的潜力。因此，这项研究将有助于减少害虫物种经常进化的杀虫剂抗性对农业造成的威胁。

The US National Human Genome Research Institute has committed to sequencing the genomes of ten different Drosophila (fly) species. We will search these genomes, and two others that are already available, for genes that allow flies to cope with environmental toxins found in the plants upon which they feed and breed. These same genes have the potential to degrade many of the insecticides used to control insect pests. Hence, this research will contribute to ongoing efforts to minimize the threat to agriculture posed by the insecticide resistance that frequently evolves in pest species.