Faculty Sponsor(s)
Catherine Reinke
Subject Area
Biology
Description
In collaboration with scientists and undergraduate members of the Genomics Education Partnership, we are using genomic data and bioinformatics tools to engage in comparative genomics research. By analyzing sequence and gene expression data from numerous Drosophila species, we are generating gene models for orthologs of genes found in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. A gene model is a representation of a gene’s exons and introns (coding and noncoding regions). We are building and analyzing gene models in their genomic context. The gene models we produce are illuminating the evolution of the structure and function of the insulin signaling pathway, enabling us to uncover the principles by which genes and their regulatory regions evolve, as a factor of a gene’s position within a particular biological network.
Our research team created gene models for GlyS, a gene that codes for the protein Glycogen Synthase, in several species of Drosophila. Glycogen Synthase catalyzes the production of glycogen from glucose monomers and serves a necessary role in growth and metabolic homeostasis. We have identified key similarities and differences in the GlyS gene and in its genomic context across species. Evaluating the conservation of genes is a critical way to examine features of gene networks, such as robustness and resistance to change. The genome annotations we produced for various species at critical evolutionary distances will be further analyzed to determine how the GlyS gene and its genomic context has changed over time relative to other genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway.
Recommended Citation
Boyd, Bronwyn M.; Shields, Hanna; Steward, Lottie R.; and Reinke, Catherine, "Gene Annotation of GlyS in Drosophila Species" (2021). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 39.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2021/all/39
Gene Annotation of GlyS in Drosophila Species
In collaboration with scientists and undergraduate members of the Genomics Education Partnership, we are using genomic data and bioinformatics tools to engage in comparative genomics research. By analyzing sequence and gene expression data from numerous Drosophila species, we are generating gene models for orthologs of genes found in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. A gene model is a representation of a gene’s exons and introns (coding and noncoding regions). We are building and analyzing gene models in their genomic context. The gene models we produce are illuminating the evolution of the structure and function of the insulin signaling pathway, enabling us to uncover the principles by which genes and their regulatory regions evolve, as a factor of a gene’s position within a particular biological network.
Our research team created gene models for GlyS, a gene that codes for the protein Glycogen Synthase, in several species of Drosophila. Glycogen Synthase catalyzes the production of glycogen from glucose monomers and serves a necessary role in growth and metabolic homeostasis. We have identified key similarities and differences in the GlyS gene and in its genomic context across species. Evaluating the conservation of genes is a critical way to examine features of gene networks, such as robustness and resistance to change. The genome annotations we produced for various species at critical evolutionary distances will be further analyzed to determine how the GlyS gene and its genomic context has changed over time relative to other genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway.
