The genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the choice between neural and epidermal cell determination will be studied in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Eleven extant mutations that affect eye development through modifying the phenotypic effects of the "Split" allele of the "Notch" locus, alone or in combination with the "Enhancer of split" mutation will be characterized. These studies have the potential of identifying intracellular mechanisms required for neuronal cell determination.
