Evolutionary impacts of gene interactions in a rapidly changing world

该项目旨在了解基因相互作用如何影响我们变暖的海洋环境中的进化。基因相互作用的作用是有争议的，因为它们被认为对自然种群中适合度的遗传变异几乎没有影响。然而，新的数据表明，这种影响可能是实质性的，并通过热应激增强，解释了在应激条件下可用于进化的大多数遗传变异。该项目旨在利用数量遗传学、基因组学和理论来确定澳大利亚东南部面临海洋快速变暖的海洋种群的进化影响。这些结果可能会改变我们对基因相互作用的看法，并帮助我们更好地预测生物对环境变化的反应。

This project aims to understand how gene interactions impact evolution in our warming marine environments. The role of gene interactions is controversial because they are assumed to have little effect on genetic variation for fitness in natural populations. Yet new data show that this effect can be substantial and is enhanced by heat stress, explaining most of the genetic variation available for evolution under stressful conditions. The project aims to use quantitative genetics, genomics, and theory to determine the evolutionary impacts on marine populations facing rapid ocean warming in southeast Australia. The outcomes could change how we view gene interactions, and help us to better predict biological responses to environmental change.