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| Developmental Regulation of the Growth of Sexual Traits in Stalk-Eyed Flies | ||||||||||||
The regulation of shape and form is of fundamental importance in both developmental and evolutionary biology and is achieved largely through the proportional growth of body parts. The overall morphology of an organism is effectively a function of the scaling relationships between different body parts and body size. Exaggerated sexual traits provide some of the most extreme scaling relationships observed in nature and are hence an ideal model system in which to study the underlying developmental mechanisms. Flies of the family Diopsidae (stalk-eyed flies) provide a well-substantiated example of an exaggerated sexual trait (eyestalk length) in a diverse group of species. Stalk-eyed flies are close relatives of Drosophila melanogaster and we have shown that similar genetic and cellular mechanisms regulate the initial development of the head capsule in fruit flies and diopsids (reviewed in Warren and Smith 2007). The student will investigate the mechanisms that underlie differential growth of male and female eyestalks in the model diopsid, Teleopsis dalmanni. Quantitative analysis of gene expression will be combined with immunohistochemical and transgenic approaches to characterise and manipulate eyestalk growth. Funding Notes This project will be subject to open departmental competition, is funded at standard NERC rates and is subject to NERC eligibility requirements (see details at: http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp). Full studentships (stipend and tuition fees) are normally only available to UK citizens and to non-UK EU nationals who have been resident in the UK (including time spent in education) for the three years prior to the start date. Minimum UCL academic entry requirements apply (ie. BSc Upper 2nd Class Honours in a relevant subject). To apply send an email outlining your interests and experience, including a CV and at least two academic references. Warren and Smith (2007) Stalk-eyed flies (Diopsidae): modeling the evolution and development of an exaggerated sexual trait. BioEssays 29: 300-307. |
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