Genetics. Published Articles Ahead of Print: August 24, 2007, Copyright © 2007
doi:10.1534/genetics.107.077735


A more recent version of this article appeared on October 1, 2007.


GENETICS EDUCATION

Genome-wide clonal analysis of lethal mutations in the Drosophila melanogaster eye: comparison of the X-chromosome and autosomes

1 Midwestern University
2 UCLA
3 Nanjing University
4 Cerritos College
5 Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
6 Culver City Independent Study School
7 Loyola High School

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: banerjee{at}mbi.ucla.edu.

Submitted on June 18, 2007
Revised on August 3, 2007
Accepted on 15 August 2007


Abstract

ABSTRACT Using a large consortium of undergraduate students at UCLA in an organized program, we have undertaken a functional genomic screen in the Drosophila eye. In addition to the educational value of discovery-based learning, this report presents the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of essential genes involved in eye development. The data reveal the surprising result that the X-chromosome has almost twice the frequency of essential genes involved in eye development as that found on the autosomes.

Key Words: Drosophila, clonal analysis, eye, genomics, undergraduate education