Research Area

The global,evolutionary and genetic diversity in the ~ 97 unique isotypes of C. elegans has become a powerful tool for forward genetic screens. Here we have found that stochastic programmed cell death (a) in the neurodevelopment of the adult male tail varies from 0 to ~35% in the wild (b), and may be used as a model for neurodegenerative diseases. We have taken a population genetics approach using: GWAS, QTL mapping with recombinant inbred lines built from two isotypes, and are currently developing a machine learning analysis (c) to identify associated loci. Currently my research focuses on testing candidate regions in vivo to identify candidate genes and ultimately the molecular mechanism that underlies this phenotype, in addition to possible mechanisms that control the fidelity of this and other developmental processes.