# Identification and study of adaptive mutations and phenotypes using laboratory growth of C. elegans

> **NIH NIH R35** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2022 · $395,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Evolutionary forces have important consequences for human diseases of development, social behavior,
and metabolism along with the progression of cancers and susceptibility to pathogens. These forces
largely determine the types of genetic changes and genes that influence or underlie these traits. The
goal of the McGrath lab is to understand the genetic basis of adaptation. What are the genetic changes
that can increase fitness and how do they modify cellular activity and phenotypic change to accomplish
this? Experimental evolution using the model organism C. elegans is a powerful approach to address
these questions. C. elegans, a genetically-tractable, short-lived nematode, can be used to study the
evolution of development, behavior, and sexual reproduction. In the next five years, the McGrath lab
will identify continue to identify the genetic, cellular, and phenotypic basis of adaptation, focusing on
three main areas. First, the genetic and cellular basis of pheromone-dependent trait evolution will be
characterized. C. elegans release and sense dozens of acaroside pheromones that modify a large
number of behavioral and developmental traits. This work will provide a model for understanding how
neural circuits evolve to modify pheromone signaling in new environments. Second, the functional
evolution of the NURF chromatin remodeling complex will be characterized in a number of nematode
species. Chromatin state regulates gene expression; it is important for determining cell fate and
phenotypic plasticity. Genetic mutations in chromatin remodelers are an important risk factor for many
cancers. Finally, genes and neurons responsible for differences in food consumption will be identified.
Obesity is a common risk factor in Americans. Fundamental work in C. elegans could help us design
approaches to decrease obesity in humans. In total, this work will provide a view of adaptation in a
multicellular organism.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10358486
- **Project number:** 5R35GM139594-02
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Patrick T McGrath
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $395,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10358486

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10358486, Identification and study of adaptive mutations and phenotypes using laboratory growth of C. elegans (5R35GM139594-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10358486. Licensed CC0.

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