Ms. Alvarez maribea@uci.edu
Arora Lab
University of California Irvine
Developmental and Cell Biology
Department

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Dr. Kavita Arora
Associate Professor
J. Cho
PhD Student
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M. Alvarez
PhD Student

What is the difference between these individuals?
• Wolverine is a mutant and Ms. Alvarez is wild-type
• Wild-type is the typical form
• Mutants are organisms who’s DNA has been altered. These organisms display new characteristics or traits not found in wild-type.

Mutations are permanent changes in the DNA sequence of a gene

• The image
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• To study the function/ role of the gene that has been mutated.

Drosophila Melanogaster, a popular genetic model organism
• ~ 50% of fly genes have vertebrate homologs
• Small and easy to grow in lab
• Short generation time
• Produce high amounts of offspring
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Drosophila Melanogaster is used to study the biological processes underlying:
• Embryonic development
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Diabetes
• Aging
• Drug abuse
• Cancer
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Project goal: Identify the function of
Myostatin in Drosophila
Myostatin fly mutants die at pupa stage

• Dr. Kavita Arora
• Jane Cho
• Tiffany Leung
• Nicole El-Ali
• Arora Lab
• Warrior Lab
• MSP Program
• NSF-GK-12 grant DGE-0638751