Wildtype versus Mutant

Ms. Alvarez

maribea@uci.edu

Arora Lab

University of California Irvine

Developmental and Cell Biology

Department

UC Irvine

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Dr. Kavita AroraDr. Kavita Arora

Associate Professor

J. ChoJ. Cho

PhD StudentPhD Student

M. AlvarezM. Alvarez

PhD StudentPhD Student

What is the difference between these individuals?

• Wolverine is a mutant and Ms. Alvarez is wild-type• Wild-type is the typical form• Mutants are organisms who’s DNA has been

altered. These organisms display new characteristics or traits not found in wild-type.

Mutations are permanent changes in

the DNA sequence of a gene

Why do scientist make mutant organisms?

• The image “http://nfs.unipv.it/nfs/minf/dispense/immunology/nunu_mouse2.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

• To study the function/ role of the gene that has been mutated.

Drosophila Melanogaster, a popular genetic model organism

• ~ 50% of fly genes have vertebrate homologs

• Small and easy to grow in lab

• Short generation time • Produce high

amounts of offspring

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Drosophila Melanogaster is used to study the biological processes

underlying: • Embryonic

development

• Neurodegenerative disorders

• Diabetes

• Aging

• Drug abuse

• Cancer

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Myostatin Mutants

Project goal: Identify the function of Myostatin in

Drosophila Myostatin fly mutants die at pupa stage

• Dr. Kavita Arora • Jane Cho • Tiffany Leung• Nicole El-Ali• Arora Lab• Warrior Lab• MSP Program• NSF-GK-12 grant DGE-0638751

Acknowledgments