Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2000/01281
Measuring the fitness implications of metabolic inefficiency.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor W Amos, University of Cambridge, Zoology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor SB Laughlin, University of Cambridge, Zoology
- Grant held at:
- University of Cambridge, Zoology
- Science Area:
- None
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Abstract:
- It is widely presumed that the need for energy efficiency drives a process of continual optimisation in living organisms, but the cost of inefficiency remains unclear. We intend to measure the fitness consequences of wasted energy. Sight is extremely metabolically expensive and is therefore lost rapidly when not needed (eg cave fish). Measurements have been made on insect photoreceptors which quantify the cost of each bit of information received in terms of ATP molecules used. We will take advantage of fruit fly mutations which remove elements of this cost, comparing the fitness of flies with and without a particular mutation under conditions where sight confers no benefits. By varying both the cost (i.e. light intensity) and the extent of cost removal (which elements of the visual system are genetically disabled) we will explore the relationship between fitness and efficiency in terms of selective disadvantage per wasted ATP molecule.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2000/01281
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £207,514
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £123,002 | £1,297 | £15,519 | £56,581 | £11,116 |
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