Research focus: In the Hales lab we perform genetic analysis with the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to explore the molecular mechanisms by which mitochondria are moved and shaped in cells. Mitochondria are the organelles often referred to as the "powerhouses of the cell," since they are the sites where energy from food is stored in ATP. In many cell types with unusual energy needs, mitochondria move (in a regulated way) to be close to energy-requiring structures such as flagella or ion pumps. In addition, mitochondria often undergo regulated fusion and division, sometimes existing as a single large network in the cell, and sometimes as many individual units. We speculate that such changes may contribute to the efficiency of ATP generation in certain contexts. In Drosophila melanogaster (as in most other higher organisms), mitochondria undergo a dramatic series of shape changes during spermatogenesis. Through the identification of male-sterile mutants defective in mitochondrial morphogenesis, we can isolate and characterize genes whose protein products function in this process.

Current student researchers in the lab:
Eddie Hickman '09
Carolyn Wakeman '09
Kin Lau '10

Past projects:
Fitz Sturgill '01: Inverse PCR to identify a candidate gene for no mitochondrial derivative
Shaheen Counts '01 Characterizing Drosophila male sterile mutants with mitochondrial defects in spermatids
Sean Burke '02: Identification of a candidate gene for no mitochondrial derivative (nmd) in Drosophila melanogaster.
Marisa Wilson '02: Characterization of new mitochondrial mutants in Drosophila
Laura Quillian '03: Investigation of mitochondrial morphogenesis in Drosophila: recombination mapping of two new mutants with defects in nebenkern formation.
Monica Siegenthaler '03: Generation of germline clones to define a role for the milton gene in mitochondrial morphogenesis in Drosophila spermatids.
Sarah Baxley '04 Testing the nmd candidate gene for rescue of the mutant phenotype
Sara Holmberg '04 Characterization of the subcellular localization of the nmd gene product
Ty Plowshay '05: Characterization and fine mapping of the mitoshell mutant
Lauren Watson '06 EMS screen for new nmd alleles
Lucy Marcil '06 Characterization of new mitochondrial mutants in Drosophila
Laura Sedig '07 Characterization of the mitoshell phenotype and generation of deficiencies in the mitoshell region
Ben Whigham '07 Determining the role of milton in Drosophila spermatogenesis
Carrie Black '06 Characterization of the specificity of a polyclonal antibody raised against Nmd
Kevin Saunders '05 Characterization of the specificity of a polyclonal antibody raised against Nmd
Lindsay Nakaishi '05 Generating new nmd alleles
Anna Nam '08 Characterizing the subcellular localization of the nmd gene product
Levi Benson (Colgate '06, summer REU student) Generating germline clones to dissect the roles of milton and dMiro in Drosophila spermatogenesis
Sarah Durnbaugh '06: Characterizing the subcellular localization of the nmd gene product (Honors project)
Kara Koehrn '06: Generation of mutants in the CG4701 gene in Drosophila
Sarah Coffey '09: Determination of microtubule morphology in mitoshell and nmd
Bevin English '08: Characterization of the hypomorphic male sterile nmd^ry4 allele and analysis of the nmd paralog CG4701’s putative role in mitochondrial morphogenesis during Drosophila spermatogenesis.
Katie Wood '08: Cloning and characterization of mitoshell, a gene required for normal mitochondrial aggregation during Drosophila spermatogenesis
Laura Bergner '09: The role of beta tubulin and other proteins in mitoshell-mediated cytokinesis events in Drosophila spermatogenesis
Mike Beaucaire '09: The effect of Sib mutations on cytokinesis failure in Drosophila spermatogenesis

Requirements for students enrolled in Bio371 or 372: After initial discussions with Dr. Hales and completion of background reading, each student is expected to write a short project plan. The plan should include a summary of relevant background information, an overview of the experiments to be performed, and possible experimental directions to follow depending on data gathered. Students are expected to spend at least six hours a week on their projects. In addition, all lab members gather weekly at a scheduled time for a meeting. During the meeting, each student describes experimental results from that week. Some meetings will also include journal club discussions, for which students are expected to read assigned selections in advance. At the end of the semester, each student is expected to create a poster summarizing the project.

Grading for students enrolled in Bio371 or 372: Project plan 10%; Attendance and effort in lab and at meetings, 75%; Final poster 15%.

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© Copyright 2002-2008 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson NC 28035
last modified June 6, 2008 by K. Hales