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Poster Full Abstracts - Educational Initiatives
Poster board number is above title. The first author is the presenter
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mutation in their candidate gene. They will also determine how the mutation would affect the function of the protein encoded by their candidate gene. Their
results will be reported in a poster format at the end of the semester. Ultimately, this new lab format should enable students to better connect the role of
transmission genetics and molecular biology as well as better replicate how these two fields are integrated in research labs.
891C
Mapping and cloning recessive wing mutants and dominant bristle mutations in an undergraduate course.
Eric P Spana, Arun Augustine, Ruvi
Chauhan, Rupen Desai, Gabriella Dimarco, Benjamin Hoover, Angela Jiang, Tony Jiang, Ben Joseph, Arjun R Khanna, Temistocles Molinar Jr, Lily Pham,
Carter Suryadevara, Allison Umfress, Nikolaos A Valilis, Kristie Vu, Eli Wilber, Yi Dong, Jason Klein, Arun Sharma. Department of Biology, Duke
University, Durham, NC.
Adult visible mutations are valuable tools in Drosophila research for understanding developmental mechanisms and genetic mapping. Our class used
complementation tests to molecularly localize eight adult visible mutations with available stocks that are not cloned and display the phenotype as described.
To begin, we examined four recessive wing mutants.
curvi
(
cui
) mutants display upward curvature at the distal end of the wing. Our complementation
crosses revealed a cytological region of 120 kb spanning 28F1-29B1 (~31 genes)—almost 7 map units from the FlyBase genetic map position.
vesiculated
(
vs
) mutants have a bubble at the distal end of the wing. Complementation mapping localized
vs
to 6C1-6C6 (~160kb).
waxy
(
wx
, 2-69.7) mutants display
wings with rippled posterior margins. Unexpectedly, deficiencies between 48E to 52D (~ 4Mb) fully complemented
wx
.
wavy
(
wy
) exhibits transverse waves
in the third posterior cell of the wing. We mapped
wavy
to a 20 kb region encoding one transcript (IP3K2) at 11E-12A. We also examined four dominant
bristle mutants.
Bristle
(
Bl
, 38B5-9) demonstrates thicker bristles that are approximately half the length of wild type. Failure to complement was not
observed from 37F-40A.
Kinked
(
Ki
, 83D-E) mutants display shortened, twisted bristles and hairs. We observed no complementation failures between 83C1-
84A6.
Pin
Yt
(60C6-D1) possess thin, fragile yellow-tipped thoracic bristles. We screened deficiencies from 56F-60E and none failed to complement
Pin
Yt
or
Pin
1
.
Prickly
(
Pr
) mutants have short/absent notal macrochaetes and we localized
Pr
to a 17kb region containing 4 genes in the
E(spl)
locus. We
demonstrated that genetic mapping and cloning is an effective method of educating undergraduate students in experimental genetics.
892A
Darwin Synthetic Interview and Horse Feet - Teaching Evolution through engagement and interactivity.
John A. Pollock, David J. Lampe. Biological
Sci, Duquesne Univ, Pittsburgh, PA.
A Gallup Poll in 2009 found that 4 in 10 American’s believe in evolution. Furthermore, 45% or the respondents could not associate Charles Darwin with
evolution. In response to this crisis of understanding, we created learning tools for informal science education, which have also transitioned to curriculum in
public schools. The Darwin Synthetic Interview was developed through collaboration between Duquesne University and the Entertainment Technology
Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University, and uses the ETC’s synthetic interview technology to engage users in a conversation with Charles Darwin. An
actor portrays Darwin at age 50, the year he published On the Origin of Species. The display features 199 questions distilled from 1,000 interviews with
patrons of all ages. These answers, based on his own writings, explore Darwin the man, his personality, hobbies and beliefs. We learn about the principles of
evolution and we hear what Darwin had to say about public reactions to On the Origin of Species. The software also contains interviews with modern experts
from science, theology, religion and law who provide insight into Darwin's continuing impact on some of today’s most debated topics. Usage data indicates
that over 126,000 questions were asked of Darwin over a few months, with the most frequent including ‘What are you famous for?’ ‘What did you do for fun
as a kid?’ ‘How fast does evolution happen?’ ‘Do you believe in God?’ Patron surveys found that 76% (n=3,120) ‘would recommend the exhibit to a friend,”
and that 69% (n=3,038) felt that they “learned something.” Furthermore, 65% (n=2,814) found that Darwin’s answers were ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent.’ We have
also developed four meticulously restored replicas of horse feet, dating as far back as 60 million years. Fabricated through an innovative process of digital
modeling and 3-D printing we take million-year-old fossils and create durable and identical copies of the bones. Soft tissue of the hoof was sculpted on to
the bones, based on trace fossils. These show how the horse’s foot has adapted to the changing climate of North America.