The contribution of pleiotropic mutation to genetic variation and evolution

该项目旨在深入表征果蝇远交种群中许多性状的多效性效应，包括适应性。一个基因影响许多性状的潜力，即多效性，已经被认识了100多年。多效性是多种生物现象的基础，包括进化和与年龄有关的人类疾病。尽管如此，多效性对个体外表和适应性差异的贡献仍然知之甚少。通过测量多效性的程度及其适应度结果，本项目旨在促进对自然种群中突变和选择如何塑造遗传变异和进化潜力的理解。

This project aims to provide an in-depth characterization of pleiotropic effects across many traits, including fitness, in an outbred population of the fly, Drosophila serrata. The potential for one gene to affect many traits, pleiotropy, has been recognised for over 100 years. Pleiotropy is expected to underlie diverse biological phenomena, including evolution and age-related human diseases. Despite this, the contribution of pleiotropy to variation among individuals in appearance and in fitness remains poorly understood. By measuring the extent of pleiotropy and its fitness consequences, this project aims to advance understanding of how mutation and selection shape genetic variation and evolutionary potential in natural populations.