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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
The Fruitless Gene Influences Female Mate Preference In Drosophila, Tabashir A. Chowdhury
The Fruitless Gene Influences Female Mate Preference In Drosophila, Tabashir A. Chowdhury
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Species can arise as a result of reproductive barriers that prevent gene flow between diverging populations that force them to remain isolated from one another. Behavioural isolation is one of the earliest acting reproductive barriers determined by the evolution of mating preferences that prevent inter-specific matings. Several traits have been identified that contribute to behavioural isolation, but the genetic basis of interspecific female preference is yet to be determined. I used genetic mapping techniques to identify and confirm that the fruitless gene is affecting species-specific female rejection of interspecies males, contributing to the behavioural isolation between Drosophila melanogaster and D. …
Dietary Restriction Enhances Circadian Amplitude And Delays Visual Decline By A Clock-Driven Increase In Phototransduction, Geoff Meyerhof
Dietary Restriction Enhances Circadian Amplitude And Delays Visual Decline By A Clock-Driven Increase In Phototransduction, Geoff Meyerhof
Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses
Aging is accompanied by a progressive loss of circadian rhythms. Lifespan-extending dietary paradigms such as dietary restriction (DR) enhance circadian amplitude and appear to extend lifespan in a clock-dependent fashion. However, the mechanisms by which DR amplifies circadian rhythms and why circadian rhythms decline with age have yet to be fully elucidated. Here we find that DR amplifies circadian amplitude by enhancing light sensitivity in the eye. We performed a circadian mRNA microarray in flies (Drosophila melanogaster) reared on DR or a high nutrient diet and found that DR increases the number of circadian transcripts and selectively amplifies the …
Genetic And Environmental Factors Influence Drosophila Ethanol Sedation, Rebecca E. Schmitt
Genetic And Environmental Factors Influence Drosophila Ethanol Sedation, Rebecca E. Schmitt
Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol use disorder is a global health issue that affects a significant portion of the population, with affects including both negative mental and physical consequences. Currently, there are few treatment options available to those who suffer from alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence. Identifying candidate genes or environmental influences would therefore improve the means for possible treatments or identification of those people at risk for alcohol use disorder. Previous studies in humans have demonstrated an inverse association between initial sensitivity and risk for alcohol abuse. This connection allows investigators, and our laboratory, to investigate genetic and environmental factors …