Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel
Encyclopedia
Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) is a suite of D. melanogaster lines derived from an out-crossed population in Raleigh
, North Carolina
. The founders of these lineages were collected from a Farmer's Market. The suite consists of 192 fully sequenced lines which have been inbred to homozygousity at all alleles
. The goal of the DGRP is to provide a common standard for research on Drosophila
. Each researcher who uses the lines from the DGRP will have access to other researchers' data, which will be stored in a publicly available database. This allows for analyses to be performed across studies without having to worry about complications arising from different labs using genomically different lines of fruit flies.
to be performed, which looks for genomic regions that are correlated to a phenotype. As labs produce QTL maps a comprehensive picture of the Drosophila genome will emerge with unprecedented resolution. Currently, dozens of quantitative traits are being examined by researchers, including longevity
, phototaxis
, mating behavior, wing morphology
and oviposition site preference.
lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. The sequencing
was done by Baylor College of Medicine
Sequencing Center, in collaboration with Richard Gibbs and Stephen Richards.
The preliminary sequence data can be obtained from a public database hosted by the BCM
.
in Boston
, Massachusetts
. The study investigates the sleep behavior of Drosophila to uncover the genes that are responsible. The data suggest that at least 998 genes are responsible for some of the measurable variation found, including candidate genes CrebB-17A, rutabaga
, Shaker and the gene encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor have all been implicated in other studies as being involved in sleep behavior.
Researchers have also uncovered a genotype by diet interaction that drives phenotypic variation. Recently published data indicates that the interaction between a fly's [genome]and its environment plays a substantial role in determining the phenotype. This suggests that some individuals are obese in a high fat diet, but are able to retain a slimmer phenotype on a high sugar diet.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The founders of these lineages were collected from a Farmer's Market. The suite consists of 192 fully sequenced lines which have been inbred to homozygousity at all alleles
Allele
An allele is one of two or more forms of a gene or a genetic locus . "Allel" is an abbreviation of allelomorph. Sometimes, different alleles can result in different observable phenotypic traits, such as different pigmentation...
. The goal of the DGRP is to provide a common standard for research on Drosophila
Drosophila
Drosophila is a genus of small flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "fruit flies" or more appropriately pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit...
. Each researcher who uses the lines from the DGRP will have access to other researchers' data, which will be stored in a publicly available database. This allows for analyses to be performed across studies without having to worry about complications arising from different labs using genomically different lines of fruit flies.
Objectives
These lines are useful for performing QTL maps, as every line is fully sequenced. This allows for association mappingAssociation mapping
Association mapping, also known as "linkage disequilibrium mapping", is a method of mapping quantitative trait loci that takes advantage of historic linkage disequilibrium to link phenotypes to genotypes .-Theory:Association mapping is based on the idea that traits that have entered a population...
to be performed, which looks for genomic regions that are correlated to a phenotype. As labs produce QTL maps a comprehensive picture of the Drosophila genome will emerge with unprecedented resolution. Currently, dozens of quantitative traits are being examined by researchers, including longevity
Longevity
The word "longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography or known as "long life", especially when it concerns someone or something lasting longer than expected ....
, phototaxis
Phototaxis
Phototaxis is a kind of taxis, or locomotory movement, that occurs when a whole organism moves in response to the stimulus of light. This is advantageous for phototrophic organisms as they can orient themselves most efficiently to receive light for photosynthesis...
, mating behavior, wing morphology
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
and oviposition site preference.
Current Uses
The pilot proof of concept and development of the DGRP came from the Trudy MackayTrudy Mackay
Trudy Frances Charlene Mackay is a distinguished scientist, specializing in quantitative genetics,who was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 2006. She is presently at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, North Carolina....
lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. The sequencing
Sequencing
In genetics and biochemistry, sequencing means to determine the primary structure of an unbranched biopolymer...
was done by Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and leading center for biomedical research and clinical care...
Sequencing Center, in collaboration with Richard Gibbs and Stephen Richards.
The preliminary sequence data can be obtained from a public database hosted by the BCM
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and leading center for biomedical research and clinical care...
.
Specific studies
Preliminary data has been presented at Genetics Society of AmericaGenetics Society of America
The Genetics Society of America is a scholarly membership society of more than 4000 genetics researchers and educators, established in 1931...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The study investigates the sleep behavior of Drosophila to uncover the genes that are responsible. The data suggest that at least 998 genes are responsible for some of the measurable variation found, including candidate genes CrebB-17A, rutabaga
Rutabaga
The rutabaga, swede , turnip or yellow turnip is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip; see Triangle of U...
, Shaker and the gene encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor have all been implicated in other studies as being involved in sleep behavior.
Researchers have also uncovered a genotype by diet interaction that drives phenotypic variation. Recently published data indicates that the interaction between a fly's [genome]and its environment plays a substantial role in determining the phenotype. This suggests that some individuals are obese in a high fat diet, but are able to retain a slimmer phenotype on a high sugar diet.