Abstract
New genes are frequently formed during evolution in a wide variety of organisms playing a key role in the emergence of novel traits. Recently, studies have shown that new genes can quickly assume critical roles in developmental pathways by producing essential structures. Despite their importance, new genes are still seriously under-characterized in functional studies and inconsistently annotated in large-scale genome projects. Hence, biased estimations of gene gain and loss prevent us to establish how mutational processes and selective forces contribute to the source of new genes. Therefore, determining relations between genotype and phenotype in the emergence of a new gene requires current researches to apply a biological developmental system approach and perspective. Gametogenesis is a system of great importance for survival and evolution of species that varies temporally with the development and has a profound impact on new genes. Spermatogenesis, the male gametogenesis, provides half of the raw genetic material for the next generation and is enriched with new genes expression. The main goal of this project is to study processes and evolutionary forces determinant for evolution and origin of new genes. To achieve this goal, I will: 1- investigate the role of mutation and selective processes in the Drosophila and mammal spermatogenesis impacting new gene evolution; 2: take advantage of gametogenesis gene expression to generate unbiased rates of gene origin in Drosophila; 3- investigate new gene origination associated with sex chromosome evolution. I expect that the systems biology approach in an integrated framework will help understand trajectories of new gene origination and its impact in genome evolution, speciation and phenotypic consequences. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant: |
| More itemsLess items |
| TITULO |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): |
| More itemsLess items |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |