Francisco José Ayala - US grants

This Program Project is conceived as a concerted effort to investigate some keystone issues in evolutionary genetics. The Project formulates a multi- level research program that utilized Drosophila as a model system. The main objectives are as follows: (1) To test "molecular evolutionary clock" by cloning the superoxide dismutase (SOD gene region in a number of dipterans diverged over the las 80 million years and compare it with the SOD of humans and other organisms to ascertain whether this gene has experienced an accelerated evolution in the mammals, as has been claimed. (2) To sequence the SOD region in a large number of Drosophila melanogaster from four geographic regions to certain levels of genetic variation within and between populations. The SOD gene is particularly significant because of its apparent involvement in resistance to radiation and chemical agents, as well as aging. (3) To sequence four other gene regions (Gpdh, Adh, Xdh, and Ddc) in the 15 dipterans, and to sequence Sod i populations of Drosophila stimulants and D willistoni, in order to test the conclusions derived from the SOD results in D. melanogaster. (4) To examine theoretically and empirically the consequences of varying combinations of age-specific and density-dependent selection. (5) To determine the various physiological mechanisms that respond to age- specific or density-specific and density-dependent natural selection. This research program is highly relevant to advance our fundamental understanding of genetic disease and again among other health problems, for which model systems are critical. The Program Project consists of a core and five separate component projects, each of which will be led two or three of the five P>I>s in combinations that vary from one to another component. The components are highly interdependent conceptually, in experimental approach, and in the sharing of common facilities.

Considerable scholarly and popular attention continues to focus on research associated with understanding "human origins" -- the development of the human species and its adaptation to the natural environment. This Biocomplexity Incubation Activity award will support a project that will gather multidisciplinary scientific talent from the natural sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities to formulate research strategies that probe the origins of human biology, behavior, and society from diverse perspectives. It also will introduce talented junior researchers, including post-doctoral associates, and senior graduate students to this broad challenge and encourage them to become involved in this and related multidisciplinary efforts as their careers progress. This project's objective is to draft plans for a major, multidisciplinary research project on human origins. A two-day, workshop-style conference with three sessions will bring together molecular biologists, geneticists, evolutionary-developmental biologists, geologists, computer scientists, paleontologists, anthropologists, cognitive scientists, and humanists, all of whom share a common interest of better understanding of human origins. This multidisciplinary group will identify key issues and areas of potential collaboration. The first conference session will focus on how comparative primate, genomic data can help decipher the genetic basis of being human. The second will focus on the organismal and cultural-social levels of human evolution, with special attention to issues like the impacts of the Earth's changing physical and biological environment on human evolution and language development. The third session will focus on how system-level methods and related computer modeling can help scientists and other researchers to probe a range of complex interactions, such as those linking molecular genetic and organismal development and cultural-social organization. This conference will make use of the American Academy of Science's multidisciplinary base of scholars and will involve complementary talent nationwide. Conference participants will be about evenly divided between junior and senior researchers. Of the senior scholars, about one-third are expected to be Fellows of the Academy. The gathering will yield a synergy in the study of human origins that has not been possible with meetings of single disciplines of scholars or even in meetings of closely related disciplines.

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The University of California, Irvine (UCI) ranks first among U.S. universities under 50 years and it has gained national recognition for its Minority Science Programs (MSP) at the School of Biological Sciences. The MARC U*STAR at UCI aims at increasing the number of honors underrepresented (UR) undergraduates that enter and excel in research doctorates in biomedical sciences. Major program components include, 1) pre-MARC student development activities designed to introduce participants to biomedical research, increase student retention, improve the academic preparedness and interest in biomedical research of UR freshmen and sophomores, and to identify and prepare students for appointment as MARC trainees and 2) a MARC component that supports juniors and seniors to increase the number of competitively trained UR who enroll in research doctorates, by strengthening their academic preparation, motivation and research training. Independent research conducted under the direction of faculty mentors at partner extramural sites and at UCI serve as a core element to induce MARC scholars to pursue graduate school and research-focused careers. Over 80 faculty with experience training UR undergraduates and with funded research programs serve as preceptors of MARC scholars. The MARC research training elements are integrated with the undergraduate curriculum and include, 1) individual career and academic advising, 2) a research faculty seminar series, 3) a journal club to introduce scholars to critical reading of current biomedical literature, 4) independent research directed by faculty mentors, 5) preparation to present oral presentations and posters at local and national conferences, 6) workshops on scientific communications and application to graduate school, and 7) weekly individual advice during the graduate school application process.