By Stephanie L. Bailey

Faculty Mentor: Theresa M. Grana

Abstract

COMPARISON IMAGES OF DELETION VS. RNAi IN C. ELEGANS FOR USE IN GENETICS CLASS. Stephanie L. Bailey & Theresa M. Grana. University of Mary Washington, Biology Department. The UMW General Genetics course labs introduce students to several genetic model organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster (crosses and linkage), Arabidopsis thaliana (molecular genetics), E. coli (lac operon). Recently, we have begun using Caenorhabditis elegans for comparison of strains with specific gene mutations to wild-type strains where the same genes are targeted by RNAi. For this lab, we chose to target genes with noticeable mutant phenotypes that also have homologs relevant to human disease genes. Currently, we are targeting bli-1 and rol-6, which have relatively obvious phenotypes. However, in the limited time we have in lab with these strains, many students have found it difficult to identify the bli and rol phenotypes. This makes it hard for students to quantify the degree and penetrance of the RNAi. My project employs Nomarski (Differential Interference Contrast) microscopy, and videos taken with a dissecting microscope camera to provide detailed examples of the relevant phenotypes to students in the Genetics course. These images will provide students in the course with clear examples of the phenotypes to build confidence in the data they collect. Author contact: Sbailey4@mail.umw.edu