Beyond the reference: gene expression variation and transcriptional response to RNAi in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: A universal feature of living systems is that natural variation in genotype underpins variation in phenotype. Yet, research in model organisms is often constrained to a single genetic background, the reference strain. Further, genomic studies that do evaluate wild strains typically rely on the reference strain genome for read alignment, leading to the possibility of biased inferences based on incomplete or inaccurate mapping; the extent of reference bias can be difficult to quantify. As an intermediary between genome and organismal traits, gene expression is well positioned to describe natural variability across genotypes generally and in the context of environmental responses, which can represent complex adaptive phenotypes. C. elegans sits at the forefront of investigation into sm

SUBMITTER: Bell AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10055391 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature