H2020Индивидуална стипендия2018–2020

ParAdapt · Theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding Parallel Adaptation

„Хоризонт 2020“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“

Период: 2018-09-01 → 2020-11-16
Финансиране от ЕС: 166 157 €
Участници: 1
Схема: MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.

Накратко на български

Паралелната адаптация изследва дали различни групи от един вид развиват еднакви белези, като например сходна форма на човка, чрез едни и същи или различни генетични механизми. Това помага да се разбере дали еволюцията към една среда е ограничена или възможна по много начини.

Този кратък обзор е генериран от изкуствен интелект

Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.

Резултати накратко

Theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding Parallel Adaptation

Parallel adaptation happens when multiple populations in different geographical locations evolve similar adaptations to similar environments (e.g. similar beak shapes in birds that use similar food sources in different locations). Parallel adaptation has been observed between different species, but also for populations within the same species. While traits that evolve in parallel can often easily be observed, it is usually unclear whether the genetic basis of parallel adaptation is the same or different in the different locations. If two populations evolve similar adaptations, is it because they use the same genetic information? Or do different mutations, maybe even in completely different parts of the genome, result in similar traits? These are the questions that were addressed in this research project. Understanding parallel adaptation is relevant for both basic evolutionary biology as well as conservation and management, as it allows us to infer whether there are many different ways to adapt to similar environmental changes, or whether adaptation is constrained to a single genetic mechanism. In ParAdapt, the goal was to improve our understanding of parallel adaptation using both theoretical and empirical approaches. The aim of the theoretical work was to reveal which parameters (e.g. population sizes or strength of selection) make it more likely that populations adapting in parallel use the same genetic basis. The aim of the empirical work, using the marine snail Littorina saxatilis as a model, was to quantify the extent to which the genetic basis is shared in natural populations, and to understand the history of genes contributing to parallel adaptation. Littorina saxatilis is an ideal study system as it shows extensive parallel adaptation, having evolved two different types (one adapted to crab predation and one adapted to wave exposure) in many different geographical locations

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз

Цел на проекта

Adaptation is a key evolutionary process, allowing organisms to thrive in different environments. Studying adaptation is important for understanding biodiversity, and for addressing pressing issues in conservation and medicine. A crucial question is whether adaptive evolution is repeatable and therefore predictable. Patterns in nature suggest that this may be the case: within many species, similar adaptive phenotypes have evolved repeatedly in multiple geographical locations (“parallel evolution”). However, it is often unclear whether the genomic basis underlying parallel phenotypes is the same across locations (e.g. due to mutations in the same gene, or gene flow between locations).With high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, it is now possible to address this question in unprecedented detail. However, we are lacking a theoretical framework predicting the genomic basis of parallel evolution, as well as powerful analyses of empirical data. Therefore, here I propose an interdisciplinary approach with the following aims:1. Using computer simulations to study the effects of demographic history and polygeny on the genomic basis of parallel evolution. This will, for the first time, enable quantitative predictions. 2. Generalising the model outlined in 1. by describing it mathematically.3. Exploring the genomic basis of parallel evolution in an ideally suited organism. I will identify the most powerful analytical methods, and apply these to generate one of the most comprehensive empirical studies so far.This project will be of use to other researchers conceptually, for making system-specific predictions, and by providing widely applicable workflows. It will facilitate new collaborations between my host group (focusing on mathematical analyses of evolutionary processes) and empirical scientists. In addition, it will complement my existing skills in empirical genomics with a new set of analytical and mathematical skills, opening up the best career possibilities.

Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).

Участници

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA · KlosterneuburgКоординаторАвстрия