[GVE Roster] 

The Genetic Variation and Evolution Study Section addresses grant applications related to the origin, distribution, maintenance, and effects of genetic variation.  It considers studies ranging from characterization of the genetic and phenotypic differences among individuals and species to the evolution of genomes and biological systems.

Specific areas covered by (but not limited to) GVE:

• Description and modeling of the levels and patterns of variation
• Analysis of induced and natural variation for Mendelian and complex traits
• Genotype-phenotype associations
• Use of natural variation for gene discovery and functional genomics
• Genetics of speciation
• Adaptive evolution
• Chromosome evolution
• Evolution and organization of genomes, including gene duplication, repetitive elements, and multigene families
• Evolution of gene regulation and regulatory circuits
• Evolution of development
• (Co) evolution of hosts and their symbionts/pathogens
• Genetic variation and environmental factors 

These topics will be investigated in a variety of species, including humans, other animals, plants, and microbes. Approaches include molecular genetics; quantitative trait locus analysis, linkage and association mapping; experimental and theoretical population genetics; experimental or simulated evolution; phylogenetics; molecular evolutionary analysis; comparative genomics; gene expression and protein analyses. 

GVE may welcome applications that attempt to dissect complex morphological, behavioral, physiological and fitness-related phenotypes. Proposals to be considered may also include the development of statistical methods for inferring evolutionary processes or mapping quantitative traits; development of new model systems relevant to these topics; community-wide resources, such as database and computational tools; and modeling the emergence of naturally occurring or intentionally released infectious diseases, including genetic, evolutionary and ecological mechanisms and interactions. 

GVE has the following shared interests within the GGG IRG: 

• With Molecular Genetics-A, -B, & -C [MGA, MGB, & MGC]: Studies addressing mechanistic questions about mutation, recombination, and chromosome dynamics could be directed to MGA,MGB, or MGC as appropriate. Studies with emphasis on evolutionary aspects could be directed to GVE.  

• With Genomics, Computational Biology and Technology [GCAT]: Large-scale studies of genetic variation and comparative genomics are shared interests. If studies are directed principally at understanding evolutionary processes or gene and genome evolution, including statistical methods, they could be assigned to GVE. If studies are directed principally at understanding such genetic or genomic questions as new and emerging genetic approaches, high throughput efforts, or computational modeling of genetic systems, they could be assigned to GCAT.  

• With Genetics of Health and Disease [GHD]: Genetic variation and complex trait mapping are shared interests. GVE may be appropriate for applications emphasizing evolutionary aspects of complex trait analysis and comparative genomics, including experimental, statistical, and theoretical methods. GHD may be more appropriate for applications emphasizing human variation in disease.  

GVE has the following shared interests outside the GGG IRG: 

• With the Biology of Development & Aging [BDA] IRG: Shared interests are in the study of the genetic variation of aging and the evolution of development. If the primary focus is to characterize natural variation or test evolutionary models or to elucidate evolutionary processes, the application could be assigned to GVE. An application using established genetic technologies applied to specific questions of development or aging could be assigned to BDA.  

• With the Bioengineering Sciences & Technologies [BST] IRG: Shared interests include computational methods and informatics. Applications specifically addressing statistical and computational analyses of genetic variation or evolution could be reviewed by GVE. Applications addressing broader statistical and computational questions could be reviewed by the BST IRG.  

• With the Immunology [IMM] IRG: Proposals addressing genetic variation and evolution of immune responses could be reviewed by GVE. Applications using established genetic technologies applied to immunological problems could be reviewed by IMM.  

• With the Infectious Diseases & Microbiology [IDM] and AIDS & Related Research [AARR] IRGs: Applications specifically addressing genetic variation and evolution of infectious agents could be reviewed by GVE. Applications using established genetic technologies applied to the study of specific infectious agents could be reviewed by IDM/AARR.  

• With the Organ-system/Disease IRGs - Hematology [HEME]; Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]; Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition, & Reproductive Sciences [EMNR]; Musculoskeletal, Oral, & Skin Sciences [MOSS], Digestive Sciences [DIG], Respiratory Sciences [RES], and Renal & Urological Sciences [RUS]: Assignment of a genetic analysis of complex traits application to an organ-system/disease IRG or to GVE should be based on the nature of the scientific question(s) being addressed.  Studies directed at a single organ-system or disease could be assigned to the organ system or disease IRG, even if basic approaches are used.  Assignment could be to GVE if the question(s) addressed may be applicable to multiple diseases or organ systems, or if the study involves an emerging approach for which expertise resides in GVE. Thus, proposals mapping genes affecting variation in complex traits could be considered by GVE; applications emphasizing functional and mechanistic studies could be assigned to the appropriate disease or organ system IRG.  

• With the Neuroscience IRGs - Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN]; Integrative, Functional, & Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN]; and Brain Disorders & Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN]: Applications with a focus on genetic variation or evolution could be reviewed by the GVE study section. However, applications with a primary focus on neuroscience processes could be reviewed by MDCN, IFCN, or BDCN.