Kyle Goodbred '13

2012 Soar Student

Major/minor: Biology/Management

Hometown: Mountain Top, Pa.

Project: Mapping and Characterization of “bang-sensitive” gene, CB, in Drosophila melanogaster 

Project advisor: Dr. Christopher Jones

Project details: This study looks into a mutation in the second chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster that causes seizures when vortexed. There are other "bang-sensitive" mutations that have been pinpointed within the genome, but this mutation, CB, has not been located yet. In order to determine the location, there are multiple genetic techniques that will need to be utilized, namely determining the dominance of the allele in question, scoring progeny from a recombination cross, and using deletion mapping. The completion of this project will add to the growing knowledge-base concerning the Drosophila melanogaster genome.

Why I wanted to participate in SOAR: I participated in SOAR last year because I saw it as an awesome way to really see what laboratory research was all about. After having that experience and then taking two classes with Dr. Jones in Genetics and Molecular Genetics, I felt that doing a project with him would allow me to understand what a future in genetics would be all about.

Results: Through the work that I did in conjunction with Dr. Jones, we were able to narrow down the region in which the CB gene could exist to a region between two other genes on the Drosophila melanogaster 2nd chromosome, cross-veinless and vermillion.

Future plans: I hope to attend a graduate program in genetics.