Analysis of Drosophila germ cell sex determination and male germline stem cell niche development

果蝇生殖细胞性别决定和雄性生殖系干细胞生态位发育分析生殖细胞是唯一产生有性生殖所需的精子和卵子的细胞。因此，适当的生殖系发育对下一代的生存至关重要。在这个过程中有两个重要的步骤，一是生殖细胞决定发育为男性或女性，从而产生精子或卵子，二是这些细胞发育成功能性生殖系干细胞的能力，这是持续产生配子所必需的。然而，调控这些过程的细胞和分子机制却知之甚少。通过对果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）的遗传和分子分析，Wawersik实验室正在努力确定这些机制。由于生殖细胞发育的基本过程在果蝇、小鼠甚至人类中都非常相似，他们希望更好地了解这些机制将有助于确定生殖细胞发育缺陷如何导致不育和生殖细胞肿瘤。因此，Wawersik实验室的工作对患有癌症和不孕症的患者具有重要意义。此外，由于这项工作是由一个主要是本科院校的研究小组进行的，这些研究提供了一个令人兴奋和高度相关的背景，可以向下一代美国科学家教授遗传学的基本方面，以及细胞、分子和发育生物学。

Matthew J. WawersikIOS-0823151Analysis of Drosophila germ cell sex determination and male germline stem cell niche developmentGerm cells are the only cells that produce the sperm and eggs required for sexual reproduction. Proper germline development is, therefore, critical for survival of the next generation. Two important steps in this process are the decision made by germ cells to develop as male or female so they produce either sperm or eggs, and the ability of these cells to develop into functional germline stem cells required for continuous gamete production. However, relatively little is know about the cellular and molecular mechanism regulating these processes. Through genetic and molecular analyses in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, the Wawersik lab is working to define these mechanisms. As the basic process of germ cell development is remarkably similar in flies, mice and even humans, they expect that better understanding of these mechanisms will help determine how defects in germ cell development can cause infertility and germ cell tumors. Thus, work by the Wawersik lab has important implications for patients suffering from cancer and infertility. Furthermore, since this work is being performed by a research team at a primarily undergraduate institution, these studies provide an exciting and highly relevant backdrop to teach fundamental aspects of genetics, as well as cellular, molecular and developmental biology to the next generation of American scientists.