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Population Genomics of Human Adaptation
Joseph Lachance1, Sarah A Tishkoff1
1Departments of Biology and Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA.
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
|November 11, 2014
Summary
Modern humans show genetic adaptation to new environments through natural selection. Genome-wide studies reveal immune and reproductive genes as key targets, highlighting human evolution and adaptation processes.
Area of Science:
- Human Evolution
- Genetics
- Genomics
Background:
- Genotyping technologies enable genome-wide scans for natural selection.
- Studying natural selection in modern humans (originating ~200,000 years ago in Africa) reveals adaptation to diverse global environments post-migration (~50,000-100,000 years ago).
- Cultural and technological changes, like domestication, drove local adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize statistical approaches for detecting natural selection.
- To differentiate demographic history effects from natural selection.
- To identify genes and pathways targeted by recent human adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide scans using advanced genotyping technologies.
- Statistical methods to detect positive selection.
- Distinguishing selection from demographic effects.
Main Results:
- Immune-related genes are identified as major targets of positive selection on a genome-wide scale.
- Genes associated with reproduction and fertility show rapid evolution.
- Examples of recent human adaptation include genes for lactase persistence, eccrine glands, and hypoxia response.
Conclusions:
- Genome-wide scans are powerful tools for understanding human adaptation and evolution.
- Immune and reproductive genes are critical targets of recent natural selection.
- Functional studies are essential to confirm the physiological impact of selected genetic loci.
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