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Pleiotropy and Evolutionary Constraint

Objective

When organisms adapt to new environments, are the genetic mechanisms that underlie evolutionary trajectories predictable or stochastic? Recently, genomic studies have provided tantalizing clues that the genetic mechanisms that underlie evolutionary trajectories may be more constrained and deterministic than previously thought. Theoretical work has suggested that pleiotropy, or the influence of a single gene on multiple traits, might be an important deterministic factor during adaptive evolution. Specifically, high levels of pleiotropy are predicted to decrease the frequency with which a locus is used over the course of evolution because it is much more likely that mutations in that locus will have negative fitness consequences. Despite these theoretical predictions, however, we lack explicit tests of how pleiotropy contributes to evolutionary predictability. The objective of the PLEVOCON project is to test whether pleiotropy is a source of evolutionary constraint that underlies the predictability of evolutionary responses. The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is an ideal system in which to test whether pleiotropy is a source of evolutionary constraint. Crucially, these small fish have independently and repeatedly adapted to diverse freshwater habitats in the northern hemisphere since the retreat of the glaciers 12,000 years ago. Stickleback living in similar habitats have evolved similar phenotypes, providing an opportunity to ask whether the same genes underlie adaptation to these habitats, and whether genes that are repeatedly used for adaptation have lower levels of pleiotropy. I will utilize the existing wealth of genetic and genomic resources in this system and develop innovative statistical approaches to carry out the first genome-wide test of whether pleiotropy is a source of constraint in evolutionary responses.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAET BERN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 187 419,60
Address
HOCHSCHULSTRASSE 6
3012 Bern
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Espace Mittelland Bern / Berne
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 187 419,60
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