May 5, 2012

Sequence of the Structural Gene for Xanthine Dehydrogenase (rosy Locus) in Drosophila melanogaster

The rosy locus is an selective gene interest in gene structure and regulation, and is also an key interest of many studies for population and evolutionary genetics. Xanthine dehydrogenase (xdh) is highly polymorphic, having more than one form, in natural populations of all species of Drosophila. The extensive range of protein polymorphism is important to amino acid changes, variation in protein domains, and recombination. The reason of the research is to observe and try to understand the relationship between amino acids substitution and the level of DNA polymorphism observed. The significance of the xdh gene in regards to molecular and population geneticists causes for researchers to try and complete DNA sequence of the rosy locus and some of the xdh representative features.

Tim P. Keith, Margaret A. Riley, Martin Kreitman, R.C. Lewontin, Daniel Curtis, and Geoffrey Chambers. 1987. Sequence of the Structural Gene for Xanthine Dehydrogenase (rosy Locus) in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetic Society of America. 1-7.

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April 25, 2012

Preparation of successfully amplified xdh from DNAs 4-34 thru 4-44

Results were quantified by Sasha Le’Sure and Mahmud A. Of our DNA samples we successfully amplified 8 of our 11 samples. Samples 4-34 thru 4-41 were kept, because the others failed. Refer to PCR results at https://armstronggenetics3.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/pcr-data/. Our PCR products only had bands specific for the amplified region in our nuclear gene xdh. DNA purification of our PCR products were performed by using Exonuclease I to destroy the primers, Fast Alkaline Phosphatase to initiate dNTPs, and a incubation period at 37 degrees Celsius. Below is Table 1. showing our successfully cleaned DNA samples and their values that were quantified on March 23, 2012 by my partner and I.

Table 1. DNA Quantification via NanoDrop Spectrophotometer

Sample ID	ng/ul
4-34X	525.83
4-35X	527.77
4-36X	403.03
4-37X	686.47
4-38X	540.38
4-39X	474.88
4-40X	486.78
4-41X	513.37

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March 2, 2012

Sarcophyton pachyphyllus

Photo taken by Sasha Le'Sure of specimen in research collection that was provided by Dr. Jarrell.

Sarcophyton pachyphyllus (Ames) Garay is a part the subtribe Aeridinae. S. pachyphyllus’ name refers to the fleshy nature of the plants. The Philippines is the only place where the genus can be found and there are only two species that are known. S. pachyphyllus is a monopodial*, epiphyte* that is found in the province of Luzon Island located in the Phillipines. S. pachyphyllus can be found at elevations up to 500 meters. Inflorescences* are upright and can carry up to 30 flowers about 7mm in diameter which have colors of white, cream, and pale purple.

~Plant to the right was extracted by others.~