Introducing Genes into Flies
John Lis

Advances in recombinant DNA technologies over the past decade have made it possible to insert new genes into organisms. These methods allow the investigation of basic questions such as gene function and the regulation of gene expression. In addition, these methods have practical considerations and are being used in the treatment of disease, the production of food and bioproduction of biologically important substances.

In this program, we explore gene transfer technologies using the fly (Drosophila) as a model organism. We will demonstrate how genes are introduced into flies by microinjection, and we will assay the activity of a set of "marked" genes that have been introduced into fly lines (transgenic lines). Students will have a hand in peeling the shell off of a fly egg to prepare it for microinjection, in microinjection of embryos and in the assay of β-galactosidase activity produced from the marked fly genes in transgenic fly lines.