RUI: Developmental and Biochemical Genetic Studies of a Marsupial

该项目的主要目的是研究一种小型有袋动物（灰短尾负鼠）的发育和生化遗传学的某些方面，这种动物最近被用作实验动物。美国唯一一个完全纯种的有袋动物群落已经建立，这为遗传学研究提供了不可能的资源。由于新生有袋动物仍处于胎儿阶段，因此它是发育研究的极好动物模型。这个研究项目将研究免疫系统的发展和各种酶系统的遗传控制。由于有袋动物和胎盘哺乳动物在100多万年前有一个共同的祖先，这些研究应该阐明这些生物系统的起源和专业化。这项在本科院校进行的研究也会让聪明的本科生参与基础研究，目的是让他们对科学事业感兴趣。

The major objective of this project is to study certain aspects of the development and biochemical genetics of a small marsupial (the gray short-tailed opossum) which has recently been adapted as a laboratory animal. The only fully pedigreed colony of marsupials in the United States has been established, and this provides the resource for genetic studies not otherwise possible. Because the newborn marsupial is still in a fetal stage, it is an excellent animal model for developmental studies. This research program will study the development of the immune system and the genetic control of various enzyme systems. Since marsupial and placental mammals had a common ancestor more than a million years ago, these studies should shed light on the origin and specialization of these biological systems. This research at an undergraduate institution will also involve bright undergraduate students in basic research with a view toward interesting them in careers in science.