MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF AN UNKNOWN P-ELEMENT INSERTION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Advisor: Dr. Heather Cook
Assistant: Kirsten Ruch

ABSTRACT

The goal of this team project was to discover the unknown location of a genetically engineered transposon that is inserted in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster . If the transposon is inserted in the middle of a gene, the transposon may disrupt it, resulting in a homozygous lethal phenotype. The change in phenotype could provide valuable information regarding the gene's function. Before starting the experiment, P{lacW} , a transposon that contains a plasmid sequence was integrated into the fruit flies' genome. Using the plasmid rescue method, we isolated the DNA, cleaved it by means of restriction enzymes, promoted intramolecular ligation, and transformed the genetic material into Escherichia coli (E. coli) . In this final stage, the experiment was discontinued because there was no growth of E. coli containing the mutated DNA. Despite our inability to complete the experiment, we gained valuable lab experience and knowledge about plasmid rescue and its role in mutagenesis.