Centriole Inheritance During Reproduction

中心粒是基于微管的保守细胞器，在许多细胞功能和生物体发育中起着至关重要的作用。一个细胞恰好需要两个中心粒才能正常分裂和发挥功能。因此，中心粒数目的精确调控是非常重要的。然而，在许多动物中，未受精的卵母细胞似乎没有任何中心粒，它只从精子那里继承了一个中心粒。由于受精卵细胞有两个中心粒，它通过一种未知的机制获得第二个中心粒。该项目的目的是为了更好地了解第二个中心粒是如何以果蝇为模型系统获得的。更广泛的影响除了回答基本的发育和细胞生物学问题外，该项目还将为许多发展中国家和新手科学家（例如本科生和高中生）提供一个在顶级机构体验实验室研究的机会。在过去的五年中，Avidor-Reiss实验室开发并实施了一项学生拓展计划，为波士顿地区高中和大学的学生提供短期（2 - 3个月）或长期（2 - 3年）的实验室实习机会，他们可以在那里获得直接的培训并接触到生物科学的研究。对于一个考虑从事科学事业的年轻人来说，这是一个特殊而理想的机会。总之，拟议的研究将有助于教育和激励下一代研究人员。

Intellectual MeritCentrioles are conserved microtubule-based organelles that play essential roles in numerous cellular functions and in an organism's development. A cell requires exactly two centrioles in order to normally divide and function. Thus, it is important that centriole number is precisely regulated. However, in many animals, it appears that the unfertilized oocyte lacks any centrioles and it inherits only one centriole from the sperm. As a fertilized oocyte has two centrioles, it acquires the second centriole via an unidentified mechanism. The goal of this project is to better understand how the second centriole is acquired using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system.Broader ImpactsAs well as answering basic Developmental and Cell Biology questions, this project will provide many developing and novice scientists (e.g., undergraduate and high school students) an opportunity to experience laboratory research at a top tier institution. Over the past five years, the Avidor-Reiss laboratory has developed and executed a student outreach program that provides students from Boston-area high schools and colleges with short term (2 - 3 month) or long-term (2 - 3 year) laboratory internships where they can gain direct training and exposure to research in the biological sciences. This is an exceptional and ideal opportunity for a young person who is considering a career in science. In conclusion, the proposed research will help educate and inspire the next generation of researchers.