A5076121347- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Plant and animal studies
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Nuclear Structure and Function
Imperial College London
2019-2021
University of California, Santa Cruz
2004-2016
Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology
2008
Istituto Pasteur
2002-2003
We have used double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to study Drosophila cytokinesis. show that RNAs for anillin, acGAP, pavarotti, rho1, pebble, spaghetti squash, syntaxin1A, and twinstar all disrupt cytokinesis in S2 tissue culture cells, causing gene-specific phenotypes. Our phenotypic analyses identify genes required different aspects of cytokinesis, such as central spindle formation, actin accumulation at the cell equator, contractile ring assembly or disassembly, membrane...
RNAi screens have, to date, identified many genes required for mitotic divisions of Drosophila tissue culture cells. However, the inventory such remains incomplete. We have combined powers bioinformatics and technology detect novel genes. found that involved in mitosis tend be transcriptionally co-expressed. thus constructed a co-expression-based list 1,000 are highly enriched functions, we performed each these By limiting number examined, were able perform very detailed phenotypic analysis...
Abstract Background Genetic sex ratio distorters are systems aimed at effecting a bias in the reproductive of population and could be applied for area-wide control sexually reproducing insects that vector disease or disrupt agricultural production. One example such system leading to male is X-shredding, an approach interferes with transmission X-chromosome by inducing multiple DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis. Endonucleases targeting whose activity restricted gametogenesis have...
Synthetic sex distorters have recently been developed in the malaria mosquito, relying on endonucleases that target X-chromosome during spermatogenesis. Although inspired by naturally-occurring traits, it has remained unclear how they function and, given their potential for genetic control, portable this strategy is across species. We established Drosophila models two distinct mechanisms CRISPR/Cas9 sex-ratio distortion—"X-shredding" and "X-poisoning"—and dissected target-site requirements...
Animal cytokinesis relies on membrane addition as well acto-myosin-based constriction. Recycling endosome (RE)-derived vesicles are a key source of this membrane. Rab11, small GTPase associated with the RE and involved in vesicle targeting, is required for elongation cytokinetic furrow. In early Drosophila embryo, Nuclear-fallout (Nuf), Rab11 effector, promotes vesicle-mediated delivery actin organization at invaginating Although maintains relatively constant localization...
dMi-2 is a highly conserved ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling factor that regulates transcription and cell fates by altering the structure or positioning of nucleosomes. Here we report an unanticipated role for in regulation higher-order chromatin Drosophila. Loss function causes salivary gland polytene chromosomes to lose their characteristic banding pattern appear more condensed than normal. Conversely, increased expression triggers decondensation accompanied significant increase nuclear...
Defects in DNA replication and chromosome condensation are common phenotypes cancer cells. A link between has been established, but little is known about the role of checkpoints monitoring condensation. We investigate this function by live analysis, using rapid division cycles early Drosophila embryo. find that S-phase topoisomerase inhibitors delay both initiation rate These cell cycle delays mediated kinases chk1 wee1. Inhibitors cause severe defects congression on metaphase plate result...
Abstract Centralspindlin is essential for central spindle and cleavage furrow formation. Drosophila centralspindlin consists of a kinesin-6 motor (Pav/kinesin-6) GTPase-activating protein (Tum/RacGAP). localization to the mediated by Pav/kinesin-6. While Tum/RacGAP has well-documented scaffolding functions, whether it influences Pav/kinesin-6 function less well-explored. Here we demonstrate that both complex (co-expressed Pav/Tum) have strong microtubule bundling activity. also robust...
Abstract Barren, the Drosophila homolog of XCAP-H, is one three non-SMC subunits condensin, a conserved 13S multiprotein complex required for chromosome condensation. Mutations in barren (barr) were originally shown to affect sister-chromatid separation during mitosis 16 embryo, whereas condensation defects not detected. In contrast, mutations yeast homologs result defective mitotic as well irregular chromatid separation. We have used double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) deplete...
Synthetic sex distorters have recently been developed in the malaria mosquito, relying on endonucleases that target X-chromosome during spermatogenesis. Although inspired by naturally-occurring traits, it has remained unclear how they function and, given their potential for genetic control, portable this strategy is across species. We established Drosophila models two distinct mechanisms CRISPR/Cas9 sex-ratio distortion - “X-shredding” and “X-meddling” dissected target-site requirements...
Abstract Genetic sex ratio distorters have potential for the area-wide control of harmful insect populations. Endonucleases targeting X-chromosome and whose activity is restricted to male gametogenesis recently been pioneered as a means engineer such traits. Here we enabled endogenous CRISPR/Cas9 CRISPR/Cas12a during spermatogenesis Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata , worldwide agricultural pest extensive economic significance. In absence chromosome-level assembly, analysed long...