Presenter: Ariel Morrison, Biology
Panel: Genes, Cells & Jaws
Mentor: Eric Selker, Institute of Molecular Biology
AM Session Panels
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Century A
DNA methylation is an essential feature for proper development in many mammalian and plant species. However it is absent or nonessential in some organisms, including the fungal species Neurospora crassa. I am studying the effects of DNA methylation on Neurospora, with hopes to isolate all known genes involved in the process. Neurospora is sensitive to the drugs Basta and Hygromycin, due to two inactive genes, bar and hph. However, a loss of methylation activates these genes, creating a resistancy to these drugs. By mutagenising samples of Neurospora, I can selectively isolate dim (defective in methylation), mutants by their response to the drugs. Their genome can then be studied and the information gained can be applied to the eukaryote genome.