Project description:We investigated the hormetic effects of prenatal hyperbaric normoxia exposure on Drosophila healthspan related to molecular defense mechanisms. HN exposure had no disruptive effect on developmental rate or adult body weight. However, lifespan was clearly enhanced, as was resistance to oxidative and heat stress. In addition, levels of reactive oxygen species were significantly decreased and motor performance was increased. Furthermore, to determine the hormetic mechanism underlying these phenotypic and molecular changes, we performed a genome-wide profiling in HN-exposed and control flies. Genes encoding chitin metabolism were highly up-regulated in both sex, which could possibly serve to scavenge free radicals. These results identify prenatal HN exposure as a potential hormetic factor that may improve longevity and healthspan by enhancing defense mechanisms in Drosophila.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of 3 day old virgin male and female adults comparing control male Drosophila melanogaster (MDM) versus male D sechellia (MDS) and comparing control female Drosophila melanogaster (FDM) versus female D sechellia (FDS). Goal was to determine why D sechellia is tolerant to octanoïc acid, the major toxic compound of Morinda citrifolia fruit
Project description:RNA was extracted from adult male and adult female Drosophila melanogaster with reversed sex-chromosome parent-of-origin (e.g. maternal-X/paternal-Y vs. paternal-X/maternal-Y)
Project description:Genes with sex-biased expression in adults experience unique evolutionary dynamics. It is unclear, however, whether the selection pressures responsible for these well documented patterns also act upon genes with sex-biased expression in other developmental stages. To examine this, we measured expression in male and female Drosophila melanogaster larvae. Drosophila melanogaster wandering third instar larvae were sexed using the visible gonad. RNA was isolated from three replicate samples of male and female larvae and one sample each of adult males and females. RNA was prepared following the manufacturer's instructions, using single color labelling. Each sample/replicate was hybridized to one sector of the Agilent 4 sector array (a total of two arrays were used), with the following design: Array 1 had one larval male sample, one larval female sample, one adult male sample, and one adult female sample; Array 2 had two larval male samples and two larval female samples.
Project description:High-throughput sequencing of Drosophila melanogaster small RNAs. total RNA, ~18-26nt RNAs isolated using PAGE, ligation to adapters requires 5' monophosphate and 3' OH Small RNAs were sequenced from D. melanogaster heads (male and female), body (male and female), S2 and Kc cells and different stages of embryo. Raw sequences were clipped by 3' linker sequences recognition, and select clipped sequences longer than 18 nt
Project description:Investigation of gene expression level changes in evolved polygamous and monogamous populations of Drosophila melanogaster. The populations investigated are described in Hollis et al. 2011. Populations with elevated mutation load do not benefit from the operation of sexual selection. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 24: 1918-1926. A study using total RNA extracted from male and female virgin 4-day old Drosophila melanogaster and then transcriptionally profiled with 12x135k Nimblegen arrays. Also, transcriptional profiling of male and female heads from the same populations using Illumina RNA-Seq.
Project description:Genes with sex-biased expression in adults experience unique evolutionary dynamics. It is unclear, however, whether the selection pressures responsible for these well documented patterns also act upon genes with sex-biased expression in other developmental stages. To examine this, we measured expression in male and female Drosophila melanogaster larvae.