Evolutionary approaches to identify genetic architecture regulating aggression

识别调节攻击性的遗传结构的进化方法

• 批准号: 10526964
• 负责人: Johanna E. Kowalko
• 金额: $ 39.48万
• 依托单位: LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-08-20 至 2025-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10526964
• 关键词: Evolutionary; approaches; identify; genetic; architecture

The overarching goal of my research program is to understand how naturally occurring genetic variation results in evolved differences in behaviors. To examine these relationships, it is imperative to have a model organism that is both genetically and behaviorally variable, as well as genetically accessible. Natural populations have evolved an extraordinary diversity of behaviors. Developing and applying functional genetic tools and genomic resources to organisms from these natural populations provides an opportunity to uncover the mechanisms by which natural selection has produced these behavioral differences. Further, these approaches may provide general insights into the molecular and genetic bases of social behaviors in other species, such as humans. The blind Mexican cavefish has evolved a variety of morphological, physiological and behavioral traits, including reductions in social behaviors like aggression, relative to surface fish of the same species. My laboratory has focused on establishing methods to identify and functionally validate the role of naturally occurring genetic variants in cavefish behavioral evolution. The research program outlined here will leverage this evolutionary system to identify the genetic architecture underlying within-population differences in aggression, and to test the mechanisms by which differences in aggression evolve. Utilizing genetic mapping approaches, we will identify and functionally test candidate genes for aggressive behavior. Further, using integrative approaches, we determine the mechanisms by which naturally occurring genetic variants impact behavior. Together, this research program will provide important insights into the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying variability in complex behaviors.

我的研究计划的总体目标是了解自然发生的遗传 变化导致行为不断发展的差异。要检查这些关系，这是 必须拥有既有遗传和行为上变化的模型生物 作为遗传上的访问。自然种群已经发展出非凡的多样性 行为。开发和应用功能性遗传工具和基因组资源 这些自然种群的生物提供了一个机会来揭示机制 自然选择产生了这些行为差异。此外，这些 方法可以提供对社会分子和遗传基础的一般见解 其他物种的行为，例如人类。盲人墨西哥山洞已经进化了 形态，生理和行为特征，包括减少社会行为 像侵略一样，相对于同一物种的表面鱼。我的实验室专注于 建立识别和功能验证自然遗传的作用的方法 洞穴行为进化中的变体。这里概述的研究计划将利用这一点 进化系统确定人口内差异的遗传结构 侵略性，并测试侵略性差异进化的机制。利用 基因映射方法，我们将识别并在功能上测试候选基因的基因 侵略性行为。此外，使用综合方法，我们通过 自然发生的遗传变异会影响行为。该研究计划将在一起 提供有关遗传和神经机制的重要见解 复杂的行为。