Evolution of the thermal plasticity of gene expression: a reverse evolution experiment using Drosophila simulans.

Información del proyecto

ReversePlasticity

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 661149

DOI

10.3030/661149

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 23 Marzo 2015

Fecha de inicio 1 Abril 2015

Fecha de finalización 31 Marzo 2017

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 178 156,80

Aportación de la UE

€ 178 156,80

Coordinado por

VETERINAERMEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Austria

Objetivo

Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a genotype to express distinct phenotypes in different environments, is assumed to facilitate individuals coping with new or rapidly changing environments. In the context of climate change, the phenotypic response to temperature has received particular attention since thermal plasticity is affecting the survival of populations and species distribution. Although temperature is an important variable that affects many traits, including gene expression, the genetic basis of phenotypic plasticity evolution remains poorly explored. This project aims at understanding what determines thermal reaction norms, i.e. how gene expression changes with temperature. Preliminary work in the host laboratory suggests that these reaction norms are modified during adaptation of Drosophila melanogaster populations evolving in a new fluctuating thermal environment. Yet, it is unclear whether these changes are the result of selection on phenotypic plasticity or if they are driven by direct selection on the trait value in the novel environments, as both effects are confounded. To detect adaptive change in phenotypic plasticity, we will use a reverse evolution experiment in which D. simulans populations first evolved in one of two different fluctuating thermal environments (hot and cold) and after one year were shifted to the other environment. We will analyse the gene expression profile of these populations at three successive time points during their evolution over a wide range of temperatures (from 15°C to 27°C). By changing the environment in the opposite direction, we will be able to distinguish between selection on plasticity and selection on the trait value, since the latter will not revert plasticity towards the initial state. Hence, we will distinguish adaptive and non-adaptive components of thermal plasticity of gene expression, and identify genetic pathways under selection for phenotypic plasticity.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias agrícolas › agricultura, silvicultura y pesca › agricultura › horticultura › fruticultura
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › biología celular
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › ciencias de la atmósfera › climatología › cambios climáticos
• ciencias médicas y de la salud › medicina básica › fisiología › homeostasis
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › bioquímica › biomoléculas › proteínas › enzima

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2014

Coordinador

VETERINAERMEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 178 156,80
• Dirección: Veterinaerplatz 1 ; 1210 Wien ; Austria
• Región: Ostösterreich › Wien › Wien
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 178 156,80