Nigel Groome Studentship: Gene Regulatory Networks Driving Male-Female Genital Co-evolution

Differences in genital morphology between species often play a critical role in mating compatibility and reproductive success. Understanding the genetic and developmental mechanisms driving the evolution of genital morphology is thus key to uncovering the basis of reproductive isolation and speciation.

Historically, the co-evolution of male and female genitalia has been underappreciated due to the subtle differences in female genital morphology compared to the pronounced diversity in males. However, recent findings highlight the critical role of female traits in shaping reproductive dynamics. 

Although male and female genitalia develop from different segmental primordia in Drosophila, our research has found that the gene tartan (trn) drives genital divergence between species in both sexes. This project aims to investigate the regulatory networks mediating trn-driven co-evolution, illuminating the genetic basis of coordinated genital evolution.

We will use scATAC-seq and RNA-seq on genital tissues of different Drosophila species to identify transcription factor (TF) binding sites driving sex-specific tartan expression. Candidate TFs will be manipulated (using CRISPR to knockdown, knockout and overexpress) and the effects on enhancer activity, trn expression, genital development and downstream targets (using RNA-seq) will be tested.

This project will be led by Dr. Dani Santos-Nunes in collaboration with Dr. Sebastian Kittelmann. The student will join a vibrant and supportive team of fly researchers supported by the Centre for Functional Genomics (CFG) and the Centre for Bioimaging.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.