Epistasis: From mechanism to evolution and application
RESEARCH INTEREST GROUPS
In genetics, epistasis is a phenomenon in which the effect of a genetic change at
one locus is dependent on the presence or absence of specific alleles at one or more other loci. The mechanisms causing this phenomenon are only understood in some systems. Epistasis can occur at a number of levels of biological organization. Epistasis among single nucleotide polymorphisms within the coding regions of a protein coding gene can impact the protein’s structure and function. At an organismal level, evolution of mating communication can involve transient epistasis among alleles of genes coding for signals and responses. Evolution of molecular and cell-to-cell communication systems can similarly involve epistatic interactions. Our ability to predict nearly any phenotype based on an organism’s genotype depends crucially on the extent of epistasis. Widespread epistasis makes predicting phenotypes more difficult because phenotypes will increasingly depend on the exact configuration of specific alleles across many loci.
Our research interest group brings together faculty, postdocs and students who
study epistasis from different perspectives. We have been meeting on a bi-weekly basis to explore potential synergies among us. We are considering submitting a multi-investigator proposal.