18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
An Analysis of br1- Interacting Deficiency Stocks to Identify Genes that Function during Imaginal Disc Morphogenesis in Drosophila
Tammy T. Tolliver
Dr. Robert Ward (University of Kansas) and Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentors
Morphogenesis is an important developmental process in all multicelluar animals. Some of these developmental events occur due to hormone-induced signals. Drosophila provides a good model for studying hormone dependent morphogenesis. Specifically, morphogenesis of the leg imaginal disc is initiated by the hormone ecdysone. We have used genetics to identify a number of genes that function in ecdysone dependent leg morphogenesis and have used these to demonstrate a clear role for Rho signaling in this developmental process. There are still several regions of the genome that appear to have genes that function in leg morphogenesis. Here we analyzed six of these intervals. Using classical genetic analysis and RNA interference we screened 31 deficiencies to identify specific genes in these intervals that are required for normal leg morphogenes. 13 of these deficiencies have been thoroughly analyzed and to date none of them appear to contain genes necessary for leg morphogenesis.
Keywords: Drosophila, leg imaginal disc, Drosophila Genetics, Dr. Robert Ward, Leg morphongensis, br1 interacting def, EXELIXUS STOCKS, Morphogenesis
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 25-2
Location: VH 1432
Time: 10:00