Research Project: Genome editing of Hox gene region by CRISPR/Cas9 system in ants.
Abstract
Description
The development, health, and survival of organisms are governed by both genetic and environmental factors, which integrate into an organism\"s phenotype through complex developmental processes. Hymenopteran insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, are among the most diverse insect orders, yet developmental studies in ants remain scarce. In Camponotus floridanus, the Hox genes Ubx and abdA are expressed maternally, and their loss leads to embryonic lethality rather than typical homeotic transformations. This is surprising because homeotic transformation is their expected phenotype in all other organisms tested. To understand this anomaly, this study aims to investigate the functional significance of alternative transcripts of Ubx and abdA, discovered during early development, which differ from those found in other insects.We propose to use CRISPR-Cas9 technology and RNA interference (RNAi) to elucidate the roles of these Hox genes in C. floridanus. Our objectives include targeting zygotic expression of Ubx and abdA using CRISPR-Cas9, testing the functional significance of different transcripts via RNAi, and analyzing the downstream effects of gene knockouts on gene expression through qPCR. This research will contribute to understanding the homeotic function of Hox genes and may shed light on the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the diversification of ant body plans. This study will not only advance our understanding of ant developmental biology but also provide a valuable tool for broader genetic studies in other non-model organisms.
Keywords
Yaşam Bilimleri, Biyoteknoloji, Hayvan Biyolojisi, Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik, Temel Bilimler, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Animal Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Natural Sciences, Temel Bilimler (Sci), Yaşam Bilimleri (Life), Doğa Bilimleri Genel, Biyoloji Ve Biyokimya, Moleküler Biyoloji Ve Genetik, Mikrobiyoloji, Çok Disiplinli Bilimler, Biyoloji, Biyoteknoloji Ve Uygulamalı Mikrobiyoloji, Natural Sciences (Sci), Life Sciences (Life), Natural Sciences General, Biology & Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Genetics, Microbiology, Multidisciplinary Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology, Uygulamalı Mikrobiyoloji ve Biyoteknoloji, Moleküler Tıp, Moleküler Biyoloji, Multidisipliner, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Molecular Medicine, Molecular Biology, Multidisciplinary