The follicle stem cell lineage in telotrophic Tribolium oogenesis

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The beetle Tribolium represents telotrophic ovaries, which differ fundamentally from the polytrophic ovary of Drosophila. To gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying telotrophic ovary organogenesis, oogenesis, and somatic stem cell biology, we propose to functionally analyze all Tribolium genes by RNAi. In Drosophila, the tight spatial and temporal association of germline stem cells and somatic stem cells makes is very difficult lo analyze the somatic stem cell lineage. In Tribolium, however, systemic RNAi in the pupal stage allows to functionally analyze the somatic stem cells lineage without interference from disturbed germ line development. Larval RNAi, on the other hand, allows analyzing these earlier processes, e.g. ovary organogenesis and the specification germline derived cell population. The proposed project will enhance our knowledge on the development and evolution of different ovary types. Moreover, with the iBeetle screen we will for the first time identify a comprehensive set of genes required for ovary development and somatic stem cell biology, which has not been possible in Drosophila yet. As we expect principle mechanisms controlling stem cell biology to be conserved» it should also be possible to transfer the knowledge gained from our studies lo other species. Therefore, this proposal also is of general importance for the fields of regenerative medicine, cancer biology, and aging.