| NSF Org: |
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | March 12, 2010 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 15, 2013 |
| Award Number: | 0950964 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Matt Buechner
mbuechne@nsf.gov (703)292-4675 IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2010 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2015 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $460,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $460,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2011 = $200,000.00 FY 2012 = $50,000.00 FY 2013 = $100,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
501 E HIGH ST OXFORD OH US 45056-1846 (513)529-3600 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
501 E HIGH ST OXFORD OH US 45056-1846 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | Evolution of Develp Mechanism |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001112DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001213DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001314DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
One of the important concepts that modern developmental biology studies have uncovered is that the structure and function of genes important for development are often very similar among animals, even in those as different as insects and mammals. How then do these same apparently well-conserved genes produce the great diversity of animal forms?
The insect wing is a fascinating developmental system to study this question, because of the impressive range of existing structures. The proposed research will compare wing development of two different insects, a flour beetle (Tribolium) and a fruit fly (Drosophila). These powerful insect genetic model systems differ dramatically in wing morphology. The regulatory basis of fly wing development is well described. In the proposed research, Dr. Tomoyasu will use a combination of genetic and developmental approaches to study wing development in beetles, and compare it with that of flies to understand the molecular basis of morphological evolution.
Dr. Tomoyasu's research has previously shown that changes in the function of a Hox gene (a class of genes that has many critical functions during development) may have contributed significantly to the diversity of insect wing forms. The current research is focused on studying the mode of Hox action in beetle wings, which will lead to a better understanding of how changes in Hox function have contributed to morphological evolution.
The proposed research will enhance undergraduate science education through active participation of undergraduate students in the project. Exposure of students to an on-going research project will allow them to learn how to apply their knowledge to a scientific project, which will complement their classroom education.
Dr. Tomoyasu is a participant in the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM) program at Miami University, an NSF-funded program to encourage underrepresented students to consider a career in science. Dr. Tomoyasu will actively recruit students to the proposed research through the URM program.
In addition, Dr. Tomoyasu will work to popularize the use of Tribolium in genetics teaching laboratories at the secondary and undergraduate levels. Tribolium has several traits that make it an excellent model organism in teaching laboratories (ease of culture, available genetic tools, etc.). Through the proposed project, Dr. Tomoyasu will develop several Tribolium research protocols suitable for teaching laboratories.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Note:
When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external
site maintained by the publisher. Some full text articles may not yet be available without a
charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from
this site.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
One important concept uncovered by modern developmental biology studies is that the structure and function of genes important for development are often very similar among animals, even in those as different as insects and mammals. How then do these same seemingly well-conserved genes produce the great diversity of animal forms?
The amazing array of diversity found among insect wings offers a powerful opportunity to study this question. This project focused on comparing the wing development of two different insects, a flour beetle (Tribolium) and a fruit fly (Drosophila). These powerful insect genetic model systems differ dramatically in their wing morphology. A combination of genetic and developmental approaches was used to study wing development in beetles, then the wing development of the two insects was compared to elucidate the molecular basis underpinning morphological evolution.
This project identified several important changes in the wing gene network that have contributed to the morphological diversity seen among insect wings. These changes did not compromise the evolutionarily conserved gene functions, suggesting that gaining a new function without losing evolutionarily conserved functions may be a key theme leading to morphological diversity. In addition, an interesting insight into the origin of insect wings has also been obtained through analyzing one of the genes critical for wing development in beetles. Despite the fact that insect wings are often used as an example of morphological novelty in general textbooks, the origin of insect wings remains a mystery and is regarded as one of the chief conundrums in biology. The results obtained through this project identified two distinct tissues as possible origins of the insect wing. This finding suggests that the merger of two unrelated tissues may have been a key step in developing a novel structure during morphological evolution. A new method to identify the segments of genomes responsible for gene regulation in beetles has also been established through this project. This method will be useful for researchers to compare gene regulatory networks among different species.
This project helped train many students and researchers. 3 post-doctoral researchers, 6 graduate students, and over 20 undergraduates have participated in this project. Several students from underrepresented groups have also been recruited to this project. In addition, this project helped establish molecular biology teaching laboratories at the undergraduate level. Tribolium has several traits that make it an excellent model organism in teaching laboratories (ease of culture, available genetic tools, etc.). The course established through this project allows students to learn various molecular biology techniques through performing gene knock-down experiments in Tribolium. Several Tribolium research protocols suitable for teaching laboratories have also been developed and published.
Last Modified: 11/30/2015
Modified by: Yoshinori Tomoyasu
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
