CAREER: Investigating the evolution of gene regulation at Drosophila Hox genes

现代生物学的一个关键问题是了解生物体的复杂发育是如何在分子水平上受到调节的。在Drewell博士的实验室里研究的模型果蝇系统（Drosophila melanogaster）特别适合这种类型的研究。在过去的十年中，许多果蝇基因组已经完全测序，使我们能够开始分析遗传调控区域的功能和进化。该项目的实验将结合分子、遗传和计算方法来检查关键发育基因（Hox基因）中DNA调控序列的相互作用网络。由于Hox基因的正确表达模式对于控制所有动物胚胎发育中的细胞特性至关重要，因此该结果将具有非常广泛的意义。Drewell是Harvey Mudd学院（HMC）的一名调查员。该项目将建立在HMC优秀的本科研究和教育传统之上。本科生积极参与研究将是这个项目成功的一个组成部分。将继续特别关注招募女性、少数族裔和第一代大学生研究人员，这些研究人员目前在德威尔博士的实验室中占很大比例。另外一个主要目标是通过在HMC生物系综合一个强大的分子和发育生物学、遗传学和进化的跨学科课程，为生物学教育开发课程和工具。

A key issue in modern biology is to understand how the complex development of an organism is regulated at the molecular level. The model fruit fly system (Drosophila melanogaster) studied in Dr. Drewell's laboratory is particularly well suited to this type of research. In the last decade a number of Drosophila genomes have been completely sequenced, allowing us to begin analyzing the function and evolution of genetic regulatory regions. The experiments in this project will use a combination of molecular, genetic and computational approaches to examine the interacting network of DNA regulatory sequences at critical developmental genes, the Hox genes. As the correct pattern of expression of the Hox genes is essential for the control of cell identities in the developing embryo in all animals, the results will have very broad significance.Dr. Drewell is an investigator at Harvey Mudd College (HMC). This project will build on the strong tradition of excellence in undergraduate research and education at HMC. Active engagement of undergraduates in research will be an integral part of the success of this project. Special attention will continue to be given to recruiting female, minority and first-generation college student researchers, who are currently highly represented in Dr. Drewell's laboratory. An additional major goal is to develop courses and tools for biology education by synthesizing a strong interdisciplinary curriculum in molecular and developmental biology, genetics and evolution in the Biology department at HMC.