EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, GENETICS, AND SOCIETY
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Evolution is at the heart of much that is biology and, for the same reason at the heart of understanding human beings as animals and part of the living world. Our interests range from the evolutionary processes themselves and how they work and are manifest at the level of genetic variation. Our research concerns the genetic basis of human traits (also see Developmental Biology and Evolution page), the use of genetic variation in different human populations to reconstruct our individual and collective geographic history, and the development of approaches to identify the basis of human traits, normal and disease-related
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RESEARCH EMPHASES
We are interested in the recent evolutionary history of the human species in terms of the timing and directionality of the various migrations that led to the spread of our species across the planet. These histories are important to the development of an understanding of how particular genes, have evolved and to understand the role of natural and sexual selection, and other evolutionary factors in their evolution, both within the human species as well as those that are variable across primate species. Of current interest are finding and understanding genes affecting pigmentation, facial features, adaptation to altitude, and risk of particular common diseases. We study these genes and the phenotypes they affect using laboratory, analytical and theoretical methodology including high throughput genotyping, admixture mapping and genomic scans for natural selection. Population genomics and evolutionary developmental biology are the primary fields within which we work.
This research ranges broadly, from computer simulations of evolution to collection and analysis of genetic (DNA) samples from many parts of the world. Our work involves the laboratory as well as statistical analysis of genetic variation. We also are actively involved in bioinformatic analysis of comparative genome sequences, the origin and nature of gene families, gene regulation, and the evidence for natural selection in parts of the human and vertebrate genomes.
We relate these findings to other areas, such as the evolution of behavior, the study of primates generally and of the primate fossil record, the concept and meaning of terms like ‘race’, and the meaning of terms and concepts like ‘evolution’ both to biology itself and in our society more broadly. Major projects involve the reconstruction of individual ancestry, the use of that information to identify the genetic basis of normal variation, such as in facial features, skin pigmentation, and the like. Evolution occurs in populations over time and is thus a demographic and historical phenomenon; the genetic variation we see to day is the result. Statistical and population sampling also must be related to the history of population settlement if accurate inferences about the genetic basis of human traits, normal or disease-related, are to be made. For these reasons, a population perspective is at the heart of much that we do.
Evolution broadly engages the interest of our society in many ways, raising important bioethical issues, especially when the study involves genetics. This is because of potential harm as well as good that arises from study of human variation, and the mix of interest and misunderstanding in the public and even within the research communities in regard to health and human qualities like behavior and abilities. We therefore also are actively involved in bioethical research at all levels. These interests involve human culture generally as well as our culture, time, and place specifically.
FACULTY
Anne Buchanan, Research Associate in Anthropology and Science, Technology, and Society
Nina Jablonski, Primates, Human Variation and Adaptation, Life History Theory
Jeffrey Kurland, Associate Professor, Behavioral Evolution
Joan T. Richtsmeier, Professor of Biological Anthropology
Mark D. Shriver, Associate Professor, Genetics of human ancestry, genetics of normal
human variation, admixture methods for finding disease genes
Kenneth Weiss, Evan Pugh Professor of Biological Anthropology and Genetics and Science, Technology, and Society
FACILITIES
1. Fully equipped laboratory for basic molecular genetics Sequencing PCR including real-time PCR Gene cloning
2. Basic developmental biology and genetics Dissecting and sectioning equipment Microscopes Cell culture and incubation capability
3. Facilities available on campus High throughput sequencing and basic DNA services Array making and genotyping Array based expression profiling Mouse housing facility Transgenic mouse production High resolution micro-CT Electron microscopy fMRI imaging.
COURSES
Anth 413 Molecular Forensic Anthropology
Anth/Biol 460 Human Genetics
Anth 461 Molecular Anthropology
Anth 465H Fifteen Great Papers in Biology
Anth 470H Our Place in Nature
Anth 471H Genes, Evolution, and Society
Anth 4xx Behavioral Evolution
GRADUATE APPLICATION AND UNDERGRADUATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
LINKS AND OTHER RELATED PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS
Rock Ethics Institute
Institute for Molecular and Evolutionary Genetics (IMEG)
Bioinformatics Institute
Genetics PhD program (see the Penn State IBIOS consortium web page)
Department of Science, Technology, and Society
MS program in Forensic Sciences
