Research

What happens to the finely-tuned physiology of an animal when the function of a single gene is missing?

The amazing genetic model organism Drosophila melanogaster allows us to manipulate gene expression. We use fluorescence microscopy and molecular and functional assays to measure the resulting changes in organ structure and function.

Our current focus is on the gene drop-dead (drd), which is required for the proper function of the nervous, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

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Recent Publications

Sheahan T.D*., A. Grewal*, L.E. Korthauer*, and E.M. Blumenthal. 2023. The Drosophila drop-dead gene is required for eggshell integrity. PLoS One 18(12): e0295412. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295412. PMID: 38051756 PMCID: PMC10697589

Conway, S., C.L. Sansone, A. Benske, K. Kentala*, J. Billen, J. Vanden Broeck, and E.M. Blumenthal. 2018. Pleiotropic and novel phenotypes in the Drosophila gut caused by mutation of drop-dead. Journal of Insect Physiology 105: 76-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2018.01.007. PMID: 29371099

Zhang, H. and E.M. Blumenthal. 2017. Identification of multiple functional receptors for tyramine on an insect secretory epithelium. Scientific Reports 7(1):168. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00120-z. PMID: 28279025 PMCID: PMC5427925

Cabrero, P., S. Terhzaz, M. F. Romero, S. A. Davies, E. M. Blumenthal, and J. A. Dow. 2014. Chloride channels in stellate cells are essential for uniquely high secretion rates in neuropeptide-stimulated Drosophila diuresis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 111.39: 14301-6. 10.1073/pnas.1412706111. PMID: 25228763 PMCID: PMC4191759

Sansone, C.L. and E.M. Blumenthal. 2013. Neurodegeneration in drop-dead mutant Drosophila melanogaster is associated with the respiratory system but not with hypoxia. PLoS One, 8.7:e68032. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068032. PMID: 23874488 PMCID: PMC3707901

Nickell, P.K., S. Sass, D. Verleye, E.M. Blumenthal, and J.G. Duman. 2013. Antifreeze proteins in the primary urine of larvae of the beetle Dendroides canadensis. Journal of Experimental Biology, 216.9:1695-1703. doi:10.1242/jeb.082461. PMID: 23348942

Ruka, K.A.*, A.P. Miller*, and E.M. Blumenthal. 2013. Inhibition of diuretic stimulation of an insect secretory epithelium by a cGMP-dependent protein kinase. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, 304.9:F1210-6. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00231.2012. PMID: 23445619 PMCID: PMC3651634

Sansone, C.L. and E.M. Blumenthal. 2012. Developmental expression of drop-dead is required for early adult survival and normal body mass in Drosophila melanogaster. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42.9:690-8. doi:10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.06.002. PMID: 22728457 PMCID: PMC3416960