2008 SURI Intern

Year:      Sophomore
Major:    Biology
School:  West Virginia University,
                Morgantown, WV

Mentor: Ashok Bidwai, Ph.D.
Dept:     Biology

Research Project: Analysis of a Target Gene and How It Affects Neurogenesis

To understand the function of a particular gene is to allow the gene to express in a cell that is not normally active. An excellent way to determine the functions are by using the GAL 4 system which allows the selective expression of any cloned gene. The important feature for using this system is that GAL 4 genes and the UAS transgenic genes are initially separated; therefore, no activity is visible at first. However, once the GAL 4 and UAS–target gene lines are crossed the progeny shows the target gene is active. So for my experiment the plan is to find out how a gene affects neurogenesis physically and molecularly. 

Drosophila flies are crossed and examined for any physical deformations. Particularly how bristle locations change with the addition of the concerned gene since these flies are known for their very specific bristle pattern. Approximately ten GAL 4 drivers are crossed with seven different transgenic genes and further broken down into two different lines. The progeny will be examined for any physical differences compared to the wild type flies.

Secondly a molecular experiment is conducted to understand the importance of enzymes for example CK 2 alpha kinase used for phosphorylation. Earlier experiments have shown that by deleting the alpha subunit or deleting the beta subunit from the kinase is lethal to the cell. However, none have tested to see if slight changes are detrimental to the growth of the cell. So my experiment plans to study how changing the conformation of the kinase slightly could have adverse effects on cell growth compared to normal cell growth.

Click here to review the summary report of this project.