Adaptive transcriptome evolution likely underlies a substantial component of all adaptations. Here I propose to study two main types of transcriptome evolution using Drosophila. First, we will identify genetic novelties, focusing on reproductive tissues, including analysis at the single-cell level. We will then investigate the functions of these novelties in two species using a variety of genetic and biochemical tools, including CRISPR and RNAi to learn about the agents of selection acting on these novelties. Second, we will use population approaches to characterize adaptive transcriptome divergence contributing to local adaptation within species, and transcriptome adaptation over longer timescales between species. We will then use these results to infer the fraction of the transcriptome evolving adaptively for multiple tissues and species. We will use genetic and ATAC-seq experiments to investigate whether convergent expression adaptation generally has a shared genetic basis or whether adaptation generally proceeds by different trajectories in different species.

Public Health Relevance

This work uses a combination of genetic, population genetic, biochemical, and transcriptomic analysis of multiple tissues in multiple Drosophila species to investigate the evolution of genetic novelties and adaptive gene expression variation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Unknown (R35)
Project #
1R35GM134930-01
Application #
9851610
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Janes, Daniel E
Project Start
2020-01-01
Project End
2024-12-31
Budget Start
2020-01-01
Budget End
2020-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618