Christopher Jorgensen

christopherjmail.fresnostate.edu

Hybridization amongst two different strains of Caenorhabditis briggsae, AF16 and HK104, has suggested that selection against combinations of nuclear and mitochondrial alleles occurs (Ross et al. 2016). Part of my research investigates the resulting dysfunctional phenotype, developmental delay, which affects ~20% of F2 hybrid offspring. With the use of microscope photography across different time points of embryonic, larval, and adult development, I plan to determine the time period in which delay occurs, and, through the use of PCR, identify the genomic intervals, and eventually genes, associated with these delays. I am also investigating whether hybridization amongst two strains of C. elegans (LB138 and N2), where the N2 strain worms have sustained mutagenesis, will allow for the cellular uptake of paternal mitochondria. By screening thousands of worms, I hope to successfully inhibit the natural mechanisms that prevent the uptake of paternal mtDNA. After isolating cross offspring that contain both maternal and paternal mtDNA, I can eventually identify the mutations (and genes) normally involved in preventing paternal mitochondrial inheritance.