Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

I use molecular tools to study an unusual system of mitochondrial DNA inheritance in bivalves (e.g., mussels). Unlike all other animals, mussels possess two distinct gender associated lineages of mitochondrial DNA, which is normally only inherited through females. However, in mussels, males possess and transmit a distinctly male-associated mitochondrial DNA lineage. My lab seeks to understand whether this unique male associated mtDNA lineage might be an adaptation for sperm function and/or whether it may play a role in sex determination. This research is of fundamental importance for understanding the basis of mitochondrial DNA inheritance in animals generally, as well as the functions that mitochondrial DNA may perform in addition to the functions currently recognized (i.e., energy production). My research is therefore of interest to all biologists, not only evolutionary biologists and geneticists. This unusual system of mtDNA inheritance is being studied by laboratories in the United States, Wales, Spain, Italy, and Japan. For Canadian labs to remain at the forefront of this research, specialized laboratory equipment such as that requested herein is essential. The specific equipment requested, a temperature controlled incubator/shaker, is necessary to conduct cloning of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products that are necessary to identify genotypes and mitotypes of the mussels that I study, as well as to study patterns of molecular evolution of various mitochondrial genomes and interacting nuclear genes. This piece of equipment will also be used to culture mussel embryos which will be used as a source of DNA and RNA. One possible applied outcome of this research is that the mechanism of sex determination in bivalves could be better understood and this knowledge could be used to manipulate sex ratios of mussels in aquaculture operations or possibly as a means to alter sex ratios in invasive species of bivalves such as zebra mussels.