Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Winnipeg
$30,601.00
Real time quantitative PCR system
FY 2006-07
Summary
Reproductive traits have been shown to experience rapid changes among species, and such pattern of rapid change can also be found in DNA sequence analysis of genes with a role in reproduction. Rapid evolution can be shaped by intra and intersexual competition for mating success as well as postmating events that influence fertilization. My goal is to identify genes that contribute to differences in fitness caused by differences in sperm development, sperm competitive interactions prior to fertilization (i.e. sperm competition) and sperm ? female interactions affecting fertilization. It is known that there is a genetic basis to differences in fertilization success, but the approach generally used provides no identification of single genes. It is now possible to survey entire genomes for differences in gene expression that associate with differences in fitness. My work shall contribute to identify genes with patterns of expression that associate with differences in sperm development and fertilization success. Real time quantitative assays of gene expression are needed to identify such genes through proper quantification of differences in gene expression. Identifying specific genes that are responsible for differences in sperm development, sperm competitive ability and fertilization success will shed light on the genetic basis of reproductive characters contributing to infertility, reproductive isolation between species and male ? female reproductive interactions. Genes identified in this project will be used in comparative genomic searches of sequence similarities suggestive of conserved function and adaptive changes linked to evolutionary transitions. Genes identified in Drosophila can serve as candidates for assays in insects of commercial value that could be tested in laboratory conditions. As well, genes controlling sperm development in Drosophila have homologs in humans (e.g. boule) and so the characterization of the sperm development transcriptome in fruit flies will help in search of candidate genes affecting human male fertility.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Manitoba, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
344629-2007
Name nom
Civetta, Alberto
Department département
Biology
Organization id
21
Institution établissement
University of Winnipeg
Province en
Manitoba
Province fr
Manitoba
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2006
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
30601
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
18
Committee name en
Evolution & Ecology
Committee name fr
Évolution et écologie
Area of application code
1201
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Life sciences (including biotechnology)
Area of application fr
Sciences de la vie (y compris biotechnologie)
Research subject code
5004
Research subject group en
Genetics
Research subject group fr
Génétique
Research subject en
Genome analysis
Research subject fr
Analyse du génome
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Real time quantitative PCR system
Keyword
NA
Application summary
Reproductive traits have been shown to experience rapid changes among species, and such pattern of rapid change can also be found in DNA sequence analysis of genes with a role in reproduction. Rapid evolution can be shaped by intra and intersexual competition for mating success as well as postmating events that influence fertilization. My goal is to identify genes that contribute to differences in fitness caused by differences in sperm development, sperm competitive interactions prior to fertilization (i.e. sperm competition) and sperm ? female interactions affecting fertilization. It is known that there is a genetic basis to differences in fertilization success, but the approach generally used provides no identification of single genes. It is now possible to survey entire genomes for differences in gene expression that associate with differences in fitness. My work shall contribute to identify genes with patterns of expression that associate with differences in sperm development and fertilization success. Real time quantitative assays of gene expression are needed to identify such genes through proper quantification of differences in gene expression. Identifying specific genes that are responsible for differences in sperm development, sperm competitive ability and fertilization success will shed light on the genetic basis of reproductive characters contributing to infertility, reproductive isolation between species and male ? female reproductive interactions. Genes identified in this project will be used in comparative genomic searches of sequence similarities suggestive of conserved function and adaptive changes linked to evolutionary transitions. Genes identified in Drosophila can serve as candidates for assays in insects of commercial value that could be tested in laboratory conditions. As well, genes controlling sperm development in Drosophila have homologs in humans (e.g. boule) and so the characterization of the sperm development transcriptome in fruit flies will help in search of candidate genes affecting human male fertility.
