Anthony P. Mahowald
The University of Chicago
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Primary Section: 22, Cellular and Developmental Biology Secondary Section: 26, Genetics Membership Type:
Member
(elected 1994)
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Research Interests
My laboratory studies the genetic control of key developmental events during oogenesis using Drosophila melanogaster as our organism. We are currently concentrating on two processes. First, we have demonstrated that the yolk receptor, coded for by yolkless, belongs to the same gene family as the human LDL-R gene. Yolkless is expressed unusually early in the germarium and appears to be under functional control of juvenile hormone. We are analyzing the transcription control region and possible mechanisms for hormonal control of yolk uptake. Second, we are developing a culture system for ovarian germline stem cells as a possible system for targeted mutagenesis in Drosophila. We have succeeded in introducing these cells into the adult gonad, a key requirement for the achievement of a successful stem cell system.
