The microRNA miR-33 is a pleiotropic regulator of metabolic and developmental processes in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background: miR-33 family members are well characterized regulators of cellular lipid levels in mammals. Previous studies have shown that overexpression of miR-33 in Drosophila melanogaster leads to elevated triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in certain contexts. Although loss of miR-33 in flies causes subtle defects in larval and adult ovaries, the effects of miR-33 deficiency on lipid metabolism and other phenotypes impacted by metabolic state have not yet been characterized.

affects pigmentation divergence and cuticular hydrocarbons in and .

pigmentation has been a fruitful model system for understanding the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying phenotypic evolution. For example, prior work has shown that divergence of the gene contributes to pigmentation differences between two members of the virilis group: , which has a light yellow body color, and , which has a dark brown body color. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and expression analysis has suggested that divergence of the gene might also contribute to pigmentation differences between these two species.

Tools and strategies for scarless allele replacement in Drosophila using CRISPR/Cas9.

Genome editing via the CRISPR/Cas9 RNA-guided nuclease system has opened up exciting possibilities for genetic analysis. However, technical challenges associated with homology-directed repair have proven to be roadblocks for producing changes in the absence of unwanted, secondary mutations commonly known as "scars." To address these issues, we developed a 2-stage, marker-assisted strategy to facilitate precise, "scarless" edits in Drosophila with a minimal requirement for molecular screening.

Multifaceted, cross-generational costs of hybridization in sibling Drosophila species.

Maladaptive hybridization, as determined by the pattern and intensity of selection against hybrid individuals, is an important factor contributing to the evolution of prezygotic reproductive isolation. To identify the consequences of hybridization between Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis, we estimated multiple fitness components for F1 hybrids and backcross progeny and used these to compare the relative fitness of parental species and their hybrids across two generations.