Biomedical subjects
Barry Dickson
Publications and source records attributed to Barry Dickson.
The DrosDel collection: a set of P-element insertions for generating custom chromosomal aberrations in Drosophila melanogaster.
We describe a collection of P-element insertions that have considerable utility for generating custom chromosomal aberrations in Drosophila melanogaster. We have mobilized a pair of engineered P elements, p[RS3] and p[RS5], to collect 3243 lines unambiguously mapped to the Drosophila genome sequence. The collection contains, on average, an element every 35 kb. We demonstrate the utility of the collection for generating custom chromosomal deletions that have their end points mapped, with base-pair resolution, to the genome sequence. The collection was generated in an isogenic strain, thus affording a uniform background for screens where sensitivity to genetic background is high. The entire collection, along with a computational and genetic toolbox for designing and generating custom deletions, is publicly available. Using the collection it is theoretically possible to generate >12,000 deletions between 1 bp and 1 Mb in size by simple eye color selection. In addition, a further 37,000 deletions, selectable by molecular screening, may be generated. We are now using the collection to generate a second-generation deficiency kit that is precisely mapped to the genome sequence.
Maternal-effect loci involved in Drosophila oogenesis and embryogenesis: P element-induced mutations on the third chromosome.
A collection of 1609 recessive P-lethal mutations on the third chromosome was tested in germline clones for effects on egg differentiation and embryonic development. In 164 lines, normal differentiation of the egg chamber is prevented and in 841 lines, embryos develop abnormally. This latter group of maternal-effect mutations was subdivided into 23 classes based on the cuticular phenotypes. Our collection comprises new alleles of previously characterized genes (e.g. kayak, punt, string, tramtrack). For some of the genes identified in this screen, a maternal contribution to embryonic development has not been described previously (e.g. extramacrochaete, Trithorax-like, single minded, couch potato, canoe). The genes classified in our study with a dual function during oogenesis and embryogenesis not only substantially extends the existing collection of maternal-effect genes but will also aid further understanding of how patterning of the Drosophila embryo is controlled by the maternal genome.