Interested individuals must follow the "how to apply" link on the Geosciences E4 Doctoral Training Partnership web page: http://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply
Summary
Sex determination are remarkably variable. This variability has been proposed to reflect conflict between between the sexes. Here we test this theory in flies with extreme sexual conflict and rapidly evolving sex determining mechanisms.
Project background
In organisms with separate sexes, sex determination is among the most important early developmental processes for fitness. Despite its importance, in many groups of organisms sex determination is remarkably dynamic, with the specific gene, chromosomal location, and parent of origin of the sex determining gene showing rapid turnover. This dynamism has been proposed to reflect conflict between genes and between parents.
A clear case of conflict occurs in a group of small flies, the fungus gnats, which exhibit so-called paternal genome elimination, in which males eliminate the genome they inherit from their fathers. This system puts extremely strong selection on fathers to produce daughters, since sons do not transmit their genes. Theory predicts adaptation in both sex determination mechanism and mating behaviour. Consistent with this, we see frequent transitions in sex determination mechanism, with different chromosomes determining sex in different species. Some species even exhibiting maternal sex determination, in which some mothers have only sons, others only daughters. We also expect behavioural adaptation, since males are expected to evolve to prefer to mate with mothers more likely to bear daughters, particularly in the case of maternal sex determination.
Research questions
We will explore what factors drive the transitions between sex determination systems, how sex determining mechanisms affects male and female behaviour and how the structure and evolution of sex chromosomes is affected.
Methodology
The project involves, bioinformatic, behavioral and theoretical studies of this group to understand the causes and consequences of maternal sex determination and paternal genome elimination. At the bioinformatic level, bioinformatic analyses of genomes and transcriptomes of related species will illucidate the population-genetic processes driving sex determination evolution. At the behavioral level, studies of mating behavior will probe adaptations to maternal sex determination. At the theoretical level, there are opportunities to develop new models to generate predictions to regarding the origins and consequences of maternal sex determination and paternal genome elimination.
This project will be in collaboration with Scott Roy (San Francisco State University) and there will be opportunities for the candidate to visit his lab.
Training
A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. Specifically, the student will undertake training in the use of molecular wet lab techniques, insect rearing, designing experiments, the analysis of sequencing data and the use of advanced microscopy and cytogenetic approaches.
Requirements
Candidates must be highly motivated with a keen interest in evolutionary biology and genetics and a strong motivation to pursue a scientific career. Previous experience with genetic techniques and genomic and/or theoretical analyses would be an advantage.
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