Abstract
Antagonistic co-evolution at the genomic level occurs when genes within a single individual are selected in conflicting directions. Intra-genomic conflicts have important implications in evolutionary ecology and evolutionary genetics. In this study I will combine the theory of intra-genomic conflict and current knowledge on the evolution of life cycles with the analysis of genomic data. My idea is that given the structure of the genetic code, synonymous codons differ in their capacity to reduce the effects of mutation: 'robust' codons, the ones that after mutation keep on coding for similar amino acids, minimize the impact of errors; 'hypersensitive' codons are the ones that maximize the effects of mutation. Robust codons will increase in frequency because they minimize the impact of errors and receive more back mutations from their mutants. Hypersensitive codons, however, can also increase in frequency, for a different reason. Many plants and animal have life cycles characteristics that generate 'intern al' selection among mutant alleles through sequential phases of the reproductive cycle. This process, usually called 'soft' or 'developmental' selection, may eliminate deleterious alleles without reducing the reproductive capacity. Therefore if a gene is expressed during development or growth, hypersensitive codons will increase in frequency because their mutants will be eliminated more easily. This study will be carried out by theoretical analysis and by the development of a method to measure genetic robustness that will eventually be used to study available genetic databases. It will provide a link between evolutionary ecology, genomics and molecular evolution. I will develop complementary skills in programming, phylogenetic methods and analysis of genetic databases. Further complementary skills will be developed in fieldwork in evolutionary ecology (co-evolution) and in teaching and tutoring.
Europe