Descripción del proyecto
Investigar los mecanismos moleculares de la coloración estructural en las aves
Los ocelos ornamentales de las colas de los pavos reales son ejemplos de coloración estructural, responsable de algunos de los efectos visuales más extraordinarios. Los colores estructurales de las plumas de las aves son generados por una combinación de pigmentos y la disposición precisa de nanoestructuras que interactúan química y físicamente. Sin embargo, los estudios existentes se centran en los aspectos físicos y ópticos de este fenómeno, pero los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes siguen sin explorarse. El proyecto EYESPOT, financiado con fondos europeos, descifrará las bases genéticas y celulares de la coloración estructural aprovechando la diversidad excepcional de las mutaciones de color de los pavos que se obtuvieron a través de la cría en cautividad, y estudiando especies salvajes que muestran este fenómeno. El equipo del proyecto integrará técnicas y conocimientos especializados en genética y genómica, biología celular y molecular y fotónica.
Objetivo
Structural colouration is widespread in nature and generates some of the most stunning visual effects known (e.g. eyespots in a peacock tail). In bird feathers, structural colours are produced by the combination of pigments and precise arrangements of nanostructures that interact both chemically and physically. Currently, almost all published studies on structural colour have focused on the optical and physical aspects of this phenomenon, while the underlying molecular mechanisms remain almost totally unexplored. This proposal seeks to decipher the genetic and cellular basis of structural colours by: 1) exploiting the extraordinary diversity of peacock colour mutants that have emerged from captive breeding, and 2) investigating wild bird species that exhibit structural colouration. My proposal is divided across four multidisciplinary aims that integrate techniques and expertise in the fields of genetics and genomics, cell and molecular biology, and photonics. Aim 1 will elucidate the nanoarchitectural basis of aberrant feather colouration in multiple Mendelian peacock mutants by combining microscopy, spectrophotometry, and chemical analysis of pigment content. Aim 2 will theoretically and experimentally model how abnormalities in the architecture of the photonic lattice result in aberrant light-scattering in these mutants. Aim 3 will combine genetic mapping together with molecular and functional genomic tools for experimental validation and identification of genes controlling the peacock colour phenotypes. Aim 4 will refine our understanding of the evolution of this trait in nature by combining transcriptomic and epigenomic data generated from wild bird species with comparative genomics across the entire avian phylogeny using publicly available genomes. Overall, these studies will significantly expand our understanding of the mechanics and molecular changes underlying a spectacular trait that constitutes a major component of bird phenotypic diversity.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantInstitución de acogida
4485-661 VAIRAO, VILA DO CONDE
Portugal