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

现代生物学中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被调节的。在德雷威尔博士的实验室里研究的果蝇模型系统(黑腹果蝇)特别适合这类研究。在过去的十年里，一些果蝇的基因组已经完全测序，使我们能够开始分析遗传调节区的功能和进化。该项目中的实验将使用分子、遗传和计算方法的组合来检查关键发育基因Hox基因上的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发育中的胚胎中的细胞特性是必不可少的，因此该结果将具有非常广泛的意义。德雷威尔是哈维马德学院(HMC)的一名研究员。这个项目将建立在HMC在本科研究和教育方面卓越的强大传统之上。本科生积极参与研究将是该项目成功不可或缺的一部分。将继续特别关注招募女性、少数民族和第一代大学生研究人员，她们目前在德雷威尔博士的实验室中具有很高的代表性。另一个主要目标是通过在HMC生物系综合分子和发育生物学、遗传学和进化方面的强大跨学科课程，为生物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.