Abstract Priscilla Tucker CAA 9707451 The proposed research is designed to identify genes responsible for the early stages of eye development in mammals. The project has two aims. First, a genetic analysis of an eyeless mutant mouse strain will be carried out to identify one or more genes responsible for the eyeless condition. This involves conducting a genetic mapping study in which eyeless mice are crossed with normal mice. Differences in DNA content between normal and eyeless descendants of the cross are localized to specific chromosomes and candidate genes, those thought to be responsible for the eyeless condition, are identified. Second, a comparative study of gene expression will be conducted in both eyeless and normal mice. Patterns of gene expression for nine genes known to be involved in the early development of the eye will be compared and any differences in expression of these genes between eyeless and normal mice will be noted. The project has important implications for furthering an understanding of how the mammalian eye develops as it will provide new information on what genes are responsible for eye development and when and where they are expressed during eye development. In addition, identification of one or more genes responsible for the eyeless condition in these mice may shed light on the genetic basis of instances of eyelessness in nature. More generally, the project has important implications for understanding how eyes evolved in animals. In nature, different species of animals exhibit a great diversity of eye types and, for years, researchers thought that eyes evolved independently multiple times. Yet, recently, several genes involved in eye development are found in such diverse organisms as fruit flys and humans. This observation suggests that animal eyes have a common developmental origin. The search for new genes involved in eye development in animals will further our understanding of how the same genes can be utilized differently in different organisms to produce the great diversity of eye types found in nature.
