Mentor: Yoshinori Tomoyasu, Ph.D.

The insect exoskeleton provides structural support and protection while also displaying a remarkable diversity in coloration. Although the genetic pathways involved in exoskeleton formation and pigmentation have been well characterized in model insects, natural variation in these processes within a single species remains poorly understood. This project investigates intra-species variation in body color maturation in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. We hypothesize that different beetle strains exhibit variation in both the timing of body color maturation and the expression of genes involved in exoskeleton formation. To test this hypothesis, we will first quantify differences in the timing of body color maturation among multiple Tribolium strains originating from geographically distinct areas, as well as several body color mutants. Adult beetles will be monitored after eclosion, and body coloration will be quantitatively measured. In the second aim, we will measure expression levels of the sclerotization-related gene ebony. Gene expression will be quantified using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), allowing absolute measurement of transcript abundance across strains. Together, these experiments will reveal the variation in body color maturation as well as the differences in ebony gene expression among Tribolium populations. This work will contribute to a deeper understanding of how variation in gene expression shapes phenotypic diversity and will provide broader insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying genome evolution and diversification. These findings will advance our general understanding of how genetic variation generates biological diversity and may also impact research in areas such as genetics, evolution, and biomedical sciences. Furthermore, this project will contribute to my educational development by providing a deeper understanding of how genes and genomes function across organisms, including humans. This knowledge will be essential as I pursue a future career in medicine, while also engaging in research at the interface of biomedical science and human health.

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