Genetic Mosaic Analysis of Stem Cell Lineages in the Drosophila Ovary

Genetic mosaic analyses represent an invaluable approach for the study of stem cell lineages in the Drosophila ovary. The generation of readily identifiable, homozygous mutant cells in the context of wild-type ovarian tissues within intact organisms allows the pinpointing of cellular requirements for gene function, which is particularly important for understanding the physiological control of stem cells and their progeny. Here, we provide a step-by-step guide to the generation and analysis of genetically mosaic ovaries using flippase (FLP)/FLP recognition target (FRT)-mediated recombination in adult Drosophila melanogaster, with a focus on the processes of oogenesis that are controlled by diet-dependent factors.