Functional Genetics of Mind-Meld using RNA- interference and CRISPR
Advisor Information
Dr. Bruce Chase
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
26-3-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
26-3-2021 12:00 AM
Abstract
A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) proteins are transmembrane or secreted proteins with multiple functions used in cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. They are found in all animals. In the pumice fly Drosophila melanogaster, seven genes encode ADAM proteins, one of which is the mind-meld (mmd). The MMD protein is localized around neuronal membranes and appears to be a part of the basement membrane underlying the larvae cuticle. To gain an insight into its function during the development of the larval cuticle, I will reduce the maternal contribution of mmd in the early embryos by using RNA-interference in the ovaries of the mother, and in epidermal cells of the embryo. To understand its functional contribution to neuronal membranes, I will also knockdown mmd function using RNA-interference in different subsets of glial cells. In both cases, I will analyze these animals’ viability and morphological phenotypes. If they survive, I will assess larval behavior to correlate phenotypic deficits with the loss of mmd function during development. In a separate set of experiments, I plan to use CRISPR-based methods to generate a line that lacks mmd function and similarly evaluate morphological and behavioral phenotypes present in these animals. This presentation will describe the research and the findings from it.
Scheduling Link
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Functional Genetics of Mind-Meld using RNA- interference and CRISPR
A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) proteins are transmembrane or secreted proteins with multiple functions used in cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions. They are found in all animals. In the pumice fly Drosophila melanogaster, seven genes encode ADAM proteins, one of which is the mind-meld (mmd). The MMD protein is localized around neuronal membranes and appears to be a part of the basement membrane underlying the larvae cuticle. To gain an insight into its function during the development of the larval cuticle, I will reduce the maternal contribution of mmd in the early embryos by using RNA-interference in the ovaries of the mother, and in epidermal cells of the embryo. To understand its functional contribution to neuronal membranes, I will also knockdown mmd function using RNA-interference in different subsets of glial cells. In both cases, I will analyze these animals’ viability and morphological phenotypes. If they survive, I will assess larval behavior to correlate phenotypic deficits with the loss of mmd function during development. In a separate set of experiments, I plan to use CRISPR-based methods to generate a line that lacks mmd function and similarly evaluate morphological and behavioral phenotypes present in these animals. This presentation will describe the research and the findings from it.