Abstract Detail

Comparative Genomics/Transcriptomics

Spear, Marissa M. [1], Etterson, Julie [2], Gross, Briana [1].

Assessing Contemporary Evolution in Helianthus annuus using RNA-Seq.

Resurrection experiments, in which ancestral populations are collected, stored, and grown alongside contemporary populations, allow us to compare functional traits of a temporally separated population. Combining this approach with modern genomic tools allows us to evaluate the genetic basis of evolution in a population as well as identify potentially adaptive plastic responses in variable environments. We accessed historical collections of wild common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds from the USDA National Plant Germplasm System gathered in Minneapolis, MN in 1980, and returned to the same areas in 2016 to collect the contemporary descendants of this population. By analyzing RNA-Seq data from this resurrected ancestral population and the contemporary population of H. annuus we identified genetic changes and differential expression of transcribed genes. RNA-Seq data show the 2016 populations are closely related to one another while the 1980 populations are closely related to one another. Out of 56261 transcribed genes, 921 were differentially expressed between the contemporary and ancestral groups, with 358 genes up-regulated in the ancestral group and 563 up-regulated in the contemporary group. Exploring the transcriptome of these temporally separated populations will help us understand the evolution of functional traits over the past 36 years.

1 - University Of Minnesota Duluth, Department Of Biology, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812, United States
2 - University Of Minnesota Duluth, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1110 Kirby Drive, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812, United States

Keywords:
RNA-Seq
Evolution
Resurrection
Helianthus.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Comparative Genomics and Transcriptomics
Location: Grand Ballroom - Exhibit Hall/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PGT007
Abstract ID:222
Candidate for Awards:Genetics Section Poster Award