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Utilizing a Fluorescent Hsp22 Pathway to Discover Lifespan-Extending Genes in the Drosophila melanogaster

CSEF · 2015 Zoology

Caleb Smith · Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rolling Hills Estates, Los Angeles County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective is to genetically engineer a line of flies that are capable of highlighting the genes responsible for extending lifespan in the Drosophila melanogaster#s #Hsp22# genetic pathway. This line of flies can help scientists not only learn about the Hsp22 pathway, but also help scientists learn about the mechanisms of aging in the Drosophila. Methods/Materials This experiment utilizes crosses of varying Drosophila lines in order to create a final strain of flies with the capability to fluoresce brightly when a gene that is part of the Hsp22 pathway has been over-expressed. Each subsequent cross adds the genetic #building blocks# that are needed to create the final strain. Results A line of flies was bred that have a mechanism that randomly over-expresses genes in the fly, and if those over-expressed genes are part of the Hsp22 pathway, the fly will fluoresce brightly under fluorescent light. Conclusions/Discussion Because the Hsp22 is thought to play a key role in the lifespan of the Drosophila, it is imperative that scientists discover the actual genes that make up this pathway. These flies are an invaluable tool that scientists can use to shed more light on the questions, # Why and how do Drosophila age?# and #How can lifespan be increased in the Drosophila.# More importantly, the flies open the door for scientists to discover even more about how humans age, as well as how human lifespan can be increased.

Summary statement

A line of flies was created that makes it easy for scientists to discover genes that make up the lifespan-extending Hsp22 pathway in the fruit fly.

Help received

Mentor from USC taught me techniques

Competition history

  • CSEF 2015 Zoology · Entry S2213

Resources

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