# The prevalence of genetic introgression in speciation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $28,321

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: The importance of genetic exchange between species has been a constant subject of debate
among evolutionary biologists. Genomic data has demonstrated that gene exchange is much more common
than previously thought and might even serve as a source of adaptation.
Broad, long-term objective: The proposed study of naturally occurring hybrid zones will leverage the natural
experiment that occurs in hybrid zones to find admixed genomes with which then can be used to dissect the
genetics of behavioral traits that differ between two recently diverged Drosophila species. The goal of this
supplement is to facilitate the professional development of Ms. Heidi Mavengere.
Specific aims: Aim 1 of the study uses admixed flies from a hybrid zone to map genes underlying the
ecologically important trait of temperature preference. This trait is an important source of reproductive isolation
among Drosophila species. Admixture mapping provides a unique opportunity to identify the genes and
processes that ultimately have led to divergence in ecological niche. Aim 2 will test genomic predictions using
functional genetics tests to confirm whether the alleles associated with the phenotypic difference have caused
the change.
Method: Fruit flies from the genus Drosophila can be collected in their natural habitat and also maintained
under laboratory conditions. In the last few years, we have improved our sequencing approaches and have
also developed the ability to generate precise gene knock-outs in multiple species of Drosophila. This proposal
leverages the identification of introgressed alleles in the genome to reveal the genetic basis of interspecific
differences. The genes identified in these admixture analyses will be functionally validated with CRISPR-
mediated gene replacements. Our preliminary results for admixture mapping and genome editing indicate we
have the ability to execute the research proposal.
Health-relatedness: Admixture mapping in humans is a primary approach used for the identification of
disease-causing gene variants. However, follow-up experiments to test the function of genes correlated with
disease are difficult to perform in humans. Admixture mapping protocols have therefore never been validated
end-to-end from the population level at which variants correlated with disease are identified, to the functional
molecular genetic level where the phenotypic state is manifested. This proposal will study traits involved in
ecological reproductive isolation using admixture mapping and will connect inferences from statistical
genomics to measurable phenotypic differences via genome editing.
Impact: The results from this study will provide the first broad view of patterns of introgression in cases where
species interbreed in nature, and will leverage those patterns of admixture to dissect the genetic basis of
behavioral differences between species that cause reproductive isolation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10294615
- **Project number:** 3R01GM121750-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Matute
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $28,321
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10294615

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10294615, The prevalence of genetic introgression in speciation (3R01GM121750-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10294615. Licensed CC0.

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