March 11, 2020 – Michael Nachman

CANCELLED

MICHAEL NACHMAN

Professor

Department of Integrative Biology

University of California, Berkeley

 

“The Genomic Basis of Environmental Adaptation in House Mice”

 

A major goal in biology is to understand the genetic details of how organisms adapt to novel environments.  We have a good understanding of the genetic basis of many simple traits, such as coat color in mice, but much of evolution involves polygenic traits, and the genetic details underlying complex traits are far less understood.  I will discuss recent studies on the genetic basis of environmental adaptation in mice which have recently colonized North and South America from Europe.  Through a combination of field and laboratory studies, we have begun to identify genes that underlie complex traits, including those that are adaptive in different environments.  I will also discuss the role of phenotypic plasticity in facilitating the colonization of new environments.

 

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

12 Noon

Hershey Hall, Grand Salon

Room 158

 

HOST: Bob Wayne

 

Refreshments will be served at 11:40 a.m.