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Related Concept Videos

Position-effect Variegation02:32

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Genetic Screens02:46

Genetic Screens

Genetic screens are tools used to identify genes and mutations responsible for phenotypes of interest. Genetic screens help identify individuals or a group of people at risk of developing  genetic diseases and help them with early intervention, targeted therapy, and reproductive options.
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics
10:31

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics

Published on: October 6, 2016

Abundant genetic variation in transcript level during early Drosophila development.

Sergey V Nuzhdin1, Danielle M Tufts, Matthew W Hahn

  • 1Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Evolution & Development
|November 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Genetic variation in gene expression during development is abundant in fruit flies. Despite numerous variations, only two key factors appear to control gene expression networks.

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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: March 28, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics
10:31

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics

Published on: October 6, 2016

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-sensitive FISH Detection of Locus-specific Ribosomal RNA Transcription in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: March 28, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Systems biology

Background:

  • Gene expression variation is crucial for evolutionary traits.
  • The developmental stage where gene expression changes impact phenotype is not well understood.
  • Early developmental changes are often hypothesized to have greater downstream phenotypic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify genetic variation in zygotic gene expression in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster.
  • To investigate the developmental timing of gene expression variation.
  • To explore the regulatory architecture of gene expression variation.

Main Methods:

  • Studied zygotic gene expression in nine inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster.
  • Collected gene expression data at two distinct developmental time points.
  • Analyzed gene regulatory networks, including maternal contributions and upstream/downstream gene effects.

Main Results:

  • Found substantial genetic variation in transcript levels across different lines and developmental times.
  • Nearly half of all expressed genes exhibited significant variation between lines.
  • Identified only two underlying factors controlling variation within two major gene regulatory networks.

Conclusions:

  • Abundant genetic variation for gene expression exists in natural populations.
  • Despite complex variation, gene expression in these networks is controlled by a low-dimensional system.
  • This suggests a constrained regulatory system despite high transcriptomic variation.