CONstrainCONverge · Constrained convergence: does pleiotropy constrain convergent alpine adaptation?

Constrained convergence: does pleiotropy constrain convergent alpine adaptation?

The CONstrainCONverge project aims to explore how constraints due to availability of shared genetic variation and pleiotropy (a single gene affecting multiple traits) influences adaptive evolution, specifically focusing on alpine adaptation in Arabidopsis. The project seeks to unravel how and mainly why repeatedly used genetic ‘hotspots’ are involved in the adaptation to alpine environments. The broader objective is to deepen the understanding of evolutionary processes in natural settings, contributing to more comprehensive knowledge in evolutionary biology. The project operates in four main work packages (WPs): WP1 focuses on genome-wide inference of convergent selection, successfully identifying polygenic adaptations to alpine environments. The identification of ‘hotspot’ genes provides the foundation for further work, highlighting the significance of both regulatory and coding changes in adaptation. WP2 involves transcription network analysis to estimate pleiotropic constraints. Initial findings suggest that genes with a wide range of network connectivity play key roles in adaptation, possibly with more connected genes being essential for adaptation to more extreme environments, with more analysis to come. WP3 assesses pleiotropic constraints based on genomic position and has demonstrated that adaptive alleles are often shared across species, enhancing the understanding of the genetic basis of convergent evolution. WP4 is the most challenging and focuses on the fitness effects and pleiotropy of hotspot genes in their natural alpine settings. Initially planned transgenic experiments were changed into a natural crossing design. Early results give indication about functions of hotspot genes, with further testing planned to validate their fitness impacts. The project has alignment with the European Green Deal’s focus on biodiversity and ecological resilience, by improving our understanding of how and why species use certain genes to adapt to extreme environments. The impact of CONstrainCONverge extends beyond academic contributions, including significant advances in the researcher’s career development and the establishment of a collaborative network across Europe. The project’s outcomes are expected to contribute to empirical research of adaptation in evolutionary biology, perhaps offering practical insights into managing biodiversity in a changing world.

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