Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Genetics
Session: 3
Room: Exhibit Hall
Sophia Olvera - University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Co-Author(s): Victoria Hamlin, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Elizabeth King, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Learning and memory are important because these genetic traits impact the quality of life and ability to function within all animals. By researching these general systems in Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster), we can gain better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these traits in other organisms, including humans. We used an operant conditioning protocol with the goal of identifying the genomic regions involved in learning and memory. One of the main modes organisms learn about their environment is through operant conditioning which is when a voluntary behavior is reinforced through rewards or punishment. For operant conditioning to be an effective way of learning, flies must be able to detect cues from the environment. Genes that impact the sensory abilities will have an impact on learning and memory outcomes, therefore, our project aims to test acuity of odor and sugar detection using recombinant inbreed lines RILs from the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR).This first project aim is to test whether D. melanogaster can detect specific odors, 3-Octanol (OCT) and 4-Methylcyclohexanol (MCH), used in a previous project performed in our lab. Utilizing Y-mazes, we assayed RILs for olfactory learning and memory to detect one of the two odors, OCT and MCH, against the null, that is no odor present, side within the Y-maze. These flies were then left for thirty minutes to explore the Y-mazes. Expected results are that most RILs were able to detect the odor, and thus chose the null side. However, early trends are showing that the data is highly variably. The data from this experiment was collected and analyzed using the Odor Acuity Performance Index.The second project aim is to test is D. melanogaster can detect sucrose. The sugar acuity test uses petri dishes with half sugar agar and half water agar to test the RILs by allowing five minutes to explore the plate, then a photo is taken for results. The expected result of this experiment is that the RILs were able to detect the sucrose and actively choose the sugar agar half of the plate. The sugar acuity data was collected, and results were interpreted through the Sugar Acuity Performance Index. Early trends are highly variable with in the dataset. Through these early trends, performance of our different genotypes on the olfactory learning assay was indeed due to learning ability rather than differences in sensory perception. Using the Index scores, the RILS will have GWAS and QTL studies performed. Knowing the acuity of D. melanogaster will help in future learning and memory studies. .
Funder Acknowledgement(s): MU NIH MARC/IMSD GRANT T34 GM 136493NSF
Faculty Advisor: Brian Booton, bootonb@missouri.edu
Role: I did most of the data collection, and helped with the experimental design of the second part. I kept the synthetic population alive.