26th Annual Student Research Conference
Study of Segregation Distortion in Fruit Flies
Reid A. McLean
Dr. Laura Fielden, Faculty Mentor
One of the central principles of Genetics is the law of equal segregation, which states that each homologue of a chromosome has an equal chance of being passed on. Segregation Distorter (SD), a collection of mutations in Drosophila melanogaster has the ability to defy this rule and prevent a homologue bearing the Responder (rsp) locus from being passed on. I used selective breeding to study one mutation within SD, called Enhancer of Segregation Distorter (E(SD)) by measuring if mutations associated with nuclear export could amplify its effect under certain circumstances. The results were largely negative, including in one case contradicting the results of a previous study. This indicates the need for further testing of this relationship, which is in progress.
Keywords: Genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, Segergation Distorter, Meiotic Drive
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 109-5
Location: MG 2001
Time: 9:00