Polygenic adaptation

Adaptation of many traits occurs through the contribution of very many genes each with a small effect. This is known as polygenic adaptation. Despite the availability of large-scale genomic data, the analysis of polygenic adaptation is still challenging. This is because we still lack a general framework describing the dynamics of selected genes in evolving populations. The goal of this joint research program (SFB) is to develop a framework to understand polygenic adaptation and to establish new method and tools for the analysis of polygenic adaptation. This project combines theoretical modeling and empirical data from Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and experimental evolution to achieve this goal. The innovative aspect of this project is combining theory, GWAS and experimental evolution in the context of polygenic adaptation which has a high potential to advance the field. This project provides added value to the local community by bringing together an outstanding team of scientists with complementary expertise to tackle a question of common interest. The added value for the international community is the advancement of the field by the proposed project. Hence, by re- enforcing the collaboration of local experts with complementary expertise a substantial scientific advance is expected. This SFB is coordinated by Neda Barghi and the other faculty consists of: Nick Barton, Joachim Hermisson, Robert Kofler, Magnus Nordborg, Himani Sachdeva, Christian Schlötterer and Kelly Swarts.