Abstract
(English)
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Over the past years Drosophila has advanced to one of the leading model organisms for studies not only in basic developmental biology but also for basic and applied medical research. The sophisticated set of genetic tools available in Drosophila have proven to be uniquely suited for dissecting basic cellular processes such as cytoarchitecture, signal transduction, and pattern formation. The processes are conserved and often affected in human diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. The aim of this collaborative EU program was to improve this genetic tool kit and the European stock centers required to keep and distribute the over 10'000 Drosophila strains that are part of this tool kit. Of particular importance are the collection of transposon-induced (P element-induced) lethal mutations on the second and the third chromosome. Owing to the transposon insertion these mutations permit rapid molecular identification of the gene und further mutagenesis (induction of reversions and stronger mutations). A central goal of the project is the detailed molecular and genetic characterization of these P element induced mutants. In a joint effort together with the groups of Prof. K. Basler, Dr. B. Dickson in Zürich we have analyzed 2'000 independent P insertion mutants on the third chromosome in homozygous mutant clones in the developing eye, the wing and the germ line. In this way we have not only identified new genes that perform critical functions during development we have also generated a valuable collection of strains (because each insertions has been recombined onto an FRT bearing chromosomes) which have been sent to the European Stock Center, where they are available for the Drosophila research community.A publication describing this analysis has recently been published: Bellotto, M., Bopp, D., Senti, K.-A., Burke, R., Deak, P., Maroy, P., Dickson, B., Basler, K., and Hafen, E. (2002). Maternal-effect loci involved in Drosophila oogenesis and embryogenesis: P element-induced mutations on the third chromosome. Int. J. Dev. Biol. 46, 146-157.
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