Prof. Bernard Mechler Developmental Genetics

For about 80 percent of human genes, counterparts can be found in the genome of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Although the genome of the fly comprises only 15,000 to 20,000 genes – compared to about 100,000 genes in higher vertebrates – it is known that many of these genes in humans are duplications or even multiple copies of their insect equivalents. Since many biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels have barely changed in the course of evolution, the study of the fruit fly contributes to a better understanding of the reaction mechanisms of the related human genes. A number of genes, in a mutated form, have been found to cause malignant tumors in Drosophila. All of these have shown characteristic features of cancer in humans. Our research group is analyzing genes in Drosophila that are involved in the growth or suppression of cancer. Our goal is to elucidate the function of these genes and to understand their interactions with other gene products. Further main areas of our work are the investigation of germ line cells during egg development and embryonic development of the fruit fly.

Detailed information on the project can be found at
www.dkfz.de/en/abteilungen/fspa/a040.html