Hafen Group: Functional Validation of Genes Associated with Starvation Resistance

Supervisor: Izzet Mehmet Akcay
Start: immediately
Duration: 3 months or more

Background
We have completed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Drosophila to identify the genetic variations with significant effects on larval starvation resistance (SR). These genetic variations possibly affect the starvation resistance phenotype through their immediate effects on nearby genes. We have identified more than 70 significant genetic associations and almost 150 genes possibly affiliated with them. The next step after a GWAS is to verify the causality of these associations.
The set of 150 associated "candidate" genes contain many genes with known or computationally predicted functions which could be vital for starvation responses, as well as many genes with functions that are not very clearly related to SR, and some unknown genes. Furthermore, many of our candidate genes have human homologs associated with several metabolic traits such as blood lipid levels, coronary heart disease, obesity, etc. Considering the fact that basic metabolic and cellular processes have been conserved between Drosophila and human, functional characterization of the identified candidate genes might also have potential implications in human health.

Your project
In this project, you will first determine the role of our candidate GWAS genes in starvation resistance. Then, the validated candidate genes will be further characterised in more detail, e.g. by looking at expression levels or creating specific mutations. The project involves many molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, cloning, genomic manipulation with CRISPR-Cas9, real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, as well as fly handling, phenotypic assays and use of fluorescent microscopy.

Contact:



Duration:

3 months / 6 months / more