Title: Genes Implicated In Midline Development of Drosophila Melanogaster

(Research Advisor: Dr. Steve Crews)

Jenny Woodard

Numerous neurodegenerative medical diseases affect the human nervous system and brain, and current research is aimed at understanding the genes that control development of the nervous system in order to find cures for such diseases. Drosophila melanogaster, or the fruit fly, is an excellent model organism for the study of such genes. Currently, my research is aimed at analyzing genes that direct Drosophila nervous system precursor cells to become specific neuronal and glial cell types. Molecular techniques are employed to initially identify nervous system-expressed genes. The genes that are being studied include CG1324, engrailed, escargot, snail, worniu, and tyrosine kinase-related.  Microscope imaging techniques are combined with antibody staining and in situ hybridization to visualize the genes’ precise patterns of expression during nervous system development. By understanding the patterns of gene expression, we can further understand the function of these genes and make conclusions that may one day be applied to human neurological research.