We are in the process of characterizing the microRNA expression profiles and test the function of the key miRNAs in Drosophila Germ line Stem Cells (GSCs).

To date, 78 Drosophila miRNAs have been isolated (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk/sequences/index.shtml ), however, the cellular processes in which each of these miRNAs participate are poorly understood.  We have shown that miRNAs are essential for stem cell self-renewal in Drosophila (Hatfield et al., 2005).  Our goal is to identity of the critical miRNAs for this process in Drosophila as well as in HESCs.

The first goal of the project is to analyze miRNA expression in Drosophila Stem Cells using sensor-constructs and LNA in situs to identify the candidate miRNAs.  The second goal is to test the in vivo function of these candidate miRNAs in GSCs taking advantage of the easy to manipulate genetics of Drosophila.