Project Title
The characterisation of the Drosophila MACPF protein Torso-like
Abstract
This project focuses on a member of the Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin-like (MACPF) superfamily, which includes pore forming toxins that play key roles in vertebrate immunity. Interestingly, a large number of MACPF proteins appear to play a role outside immunity and appear to be essential for developmental processes. The Drosophila melanogaster Torso-like (tsl)is one such protein, and is required for embryonic patterning. Previous studies have implicated that tsl not only expressed in the complex process of embryonic development, but also in a subset of the central nervous system. The aim of this project is to investigate and characterise the functions of tsl in Drosophila development, in particular neural development. A number of genetic and molecular approaches will be undertaken to study Tsl’s function, including tissue-specific loss of function and overexpression experiments. This study aims to provide the first complete picture of the fundamental roles of a MACPF protein in embryonic and neural development.
Supervisors
- Dr Coral Warr
- Professor James Whisstock
See also
Lab page
