Investigation of Potential Differential Mitochondrial Membrane Remodeling between Temperate and Tropical Drosophila melanogaster Populations
Conference Year
January 2021
Abstract
I investigated mitochondrial membrane fluidity between temperate (Vermont, USA) and tropical (St. Kitts) populations of D. melanogaster by subjecting them to development at lab acclimation of cold and warm temperatures. The cold temperature group were reared at 18°C while the warm temperature group were reared at 28°C. Their mitochondrial membrane fluidity was measured as adults after eclosing using the fluorescence probe 1-(4-Trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-Phenyl-1,3,5-Hexatriene p-Toluenesulfonate (TMA-DPH) and fluorescence polarization (FP). I found that while St. Kitts flies had higher mitochondrial membrane rigidity in both treatments, the Vermont flies showed great phenotypic plasticity in being able to be better remodel their mitochondrial membranes.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Brent Lockwood
Graduate Student Mentors
thomas.oleary
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Dr. Brent Lockwood (Thesis advisor), Dr. Emily Mikucki (Post-doc Mentor), Dr. Sumaetee Tangwancharoen (Post-doc mentor), Thomas O'Leary (Graduate Student Mentor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Investigation of Potential Differential Mitochondrial Membrane Remodeling between Temperate and Tropical Drosophila melanogaster Populations
I investigated mitochondrial membrane fluidity between temperate (Vermont, USA) and tropical (St. Kitts) populations of D. melanogaster by subjecting them to development at lab acclimation of cold and warm temperatures. The cold temperature group were reared at 18°C while the warm temperature group were reared at 28°C. Their mitochondrial membrane fluidity was measured as adults after eclosing using the fluorescence probe 1-(4-Trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-Phenyl-1,3,5-Hexatriene p-Toluenesulfonate (TMA-DPH) and fluorescence polarization (FP). I found that while St. Kitts flies had higher mitochondrial membrane rigidity in both treatments, the Vermont flies showed great phenotypic plasticity in being able to be better remodel their mitochondrial membranes.