James M. Cheverud, Ph.D.
Professor
Anatomy and Neurobiology
Anthropology
Biology
Genetics
Evolution, Ecology and Population Biology Program
Human and Statistical Genetics Program
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Office Phone: 314-362-4188
Lab Phone: 314-362-4189
Other Phone:
FAX: 314-362-3446
Box: 8108
Lab Address: 3820 North Building
Email: cheverud@pcg.wustl.edu
Website: http://thalamus.wustl.edu/cheverudlab/
Keywords: evolution; genetics; primatology; obesity; morphology
Short Research Description: Evolutionary quantitative genetics of growth and morphology, quantitative trait locus mapping in model systems primate systematics. |
Research Abstract:
My research is in quantitative genetics, morphology, and evolution. My work in quantitative genetics concerns the genetic architecture of complex traits and how this architecture facilitates and constrains evolutionary change. Genetic architecture is the genetic basis for quantitative trait variation. How many genes contribute to variation? What is the relative magnitude of their effects? What is the pattern of dominance? Do the effects of these loci vary depending on their genetic context (epistasis), environment, or sex? Answers to these questions have important implications for the evolution of quantitative traits and for understanding the genetic basis of complex diseases.
We are investigating the genetic architecture of body size, body composition, obesity & diabetes, wound healing, brain morphology, and skeletal growth, biomechanical properties, and morphology in an intercross of inbred mouse strains using quantitative trait locus approaches. We have identified a series of genes affecting body weight and weight growth, adiposity, mandibular and cranial morphology, and other traits. We are now examining the epistatic interactions of these loci and the evolutionary consequences of epistasis for evolution under genetic drift and selection. We also are fine-mapping genes for body size and obesity as background for positional cloning of genes responsible for these variations. Additionally, we are mapping genes affecting primate skull and brain morphology in a captive population of baboons.
We are also continuing our studies in primate systematics and morphological diversification. We examine the consequences of genetic architecture for the evolution of skull morphology in New and Old World Monkeys. Previous quantitative genetic analyses of skull morphology are being combined with morphometric and phylogenetic analyses to test hypotheses of genetic drift and selection as causes of interspecific morphological diversity. We will also examine the molecular evolution of genes found to affect cranial morphologies that have evolved in the human lineage. |
Selected Publications:
Ehrich TH, T Hrbek T, Kenney-Hunt JP, et al. Fine-mapping gene by diet interactions on chromosome 13 in a LG/JxSM/J murine model of obesity. Diabetes 2005 54:1863-1872.
Marroig G, Cheverud J. 2005. Size as a line of least evolutionary resistance: Diet and adaptive morphological radiation in New World monkeys. Evolution 2005 59:1128-1142.
Ackermann RR, Cheverud JM. Detecting genetic drift versus selection in human evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004 101:17946-17951.
Cheverud JM, Ehrich TH, Hrbek T, et al. Quantitative trait loci for obesity and diabetes-related traits and their dietary responses to high fat feeding in the LGXSM recombinant inbred mouse strains. Diabetes 2004 53:3328-3336.
Cheverud JM, Ehrich TH, Kenney JP, et al. Genetic evidence for discordance between obesity and diabetes-related traits in the LGXSM recombinant inbred mouse strains. Diabetes 2004 53:2700-2708. |