PROJECT SUMMARY
Determining the genetic basis of complex traits is a significant challenge, largely due to several factors.
Firstly, complex traits involve multiple genetic variants, environmental factors, and intricate interactions
among them. Secondly, there is cryptic genetic variation that remains "hidden" within genetic
backgrounds and only expresses under atypical conditions. Thirdly, there are missing connections
between genotypes and phenotypes, such as molecular phenotypes like transcriptomics and
metabolomics, which represent a critical gap in our understanding. To address these challenges, we
use Drosophila as a model organism, taking advantage of the abundant natural variation, the powerful
genetic tools, and the ability to better control environmental factors. Our goal is to reveal the system
cryptic genetic variation by sensitizing the system using two complementary approaches – high sugar
diet as environmental stressor and an inducible genetic defect as genetic perturbation. We will use a
system approach by integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to dissect the gene-gene
and gene-environment interactions responsible for metabolism and development. First, we will identify
cryptic genetic variation in high sugar diet-induced metabolic and developmental traits and gene by diet
interactions using a new mapping resource we have created with advanced intercross populations to
enhance mapping power and resolution. Secondly, we will use the metabolome as an intermediate
molecular phenotype to bridge the gap between identified genetic variants and organismal phenotypes.
By analyzing a wider range of traits under different dietary conditions, we will identify the genetic
variants and metabolites associated with these traits, and use these findings to build complex genome-
metabolome-phenome interaction networks. Lastly, we have developed an inducible model that
introduces a genetic defect genotype into various genomic backgrounds of the Drosophila Genetic
Reference Panel. This will allow us to identify cryptic genetic modifiers and gene-gene interaction
underlying affected metabolic and physiological phenotypes, and we will also profile the transcriptome
to further understand the molecular functions of associated variants. Overall, the proposed study is
expected to expose cryptic genetic variation, uncover novel gene-gene and gene-environment
interactions, reveal missing pathway members underlying metabolism and development, and provide
new models and strategies to investigate complex traits.