Why The Genetic Heterogeneity Hypothesis For Complex Trait Variation Deserves A Second Look

Dr. Anthony D Long is a professor of  Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Irvine.

Research Abstract: What is the Nature of Quantitative Variation?
The inheritance of many traits of evolutionary, medical, and agricultural importance is polygenic in nature. The observation that quantitative traits have ample standing genetic variation, despite apparent stabilizing selection which should erode this variation over time, is a paradox in evolutionary biology. A number of theoretical models address the question what maintains quantitative genetic variation, yet all models rely on assumptions regarding underlying genetic parameters. This is problematic, as despite great recent advances in our understanding of ‘Mendelian’ traits, we still know little about the molecular genetic basis of quantitative traits. My research uses the powerful genetic and molecular tools of Drosophila melanogaster, yeast, and E. coli to elucidate the molecular genetic basis of polygenic characters. We employed cutting edge molecular biology tools (including nextgen sequencing), bioinformatics, theory, and large phenotypic studies to get at these questions.

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