Archive for the ‘Drosophila’ Category

Genetics of Sleep – How much do you need?

29Nov11

Whenever I hear a friend talk about how they only sleep 6 hours a night—I feel a combination of pity (that must be rough) and annoyance (how can they do that to themselves), but reading up on the genetics of sleep maybe I should be feeling jealousy (since I need at least 8 solid hours). […]


Filed under: Channels, Drosophila, Genetics, Human, Metabolic Syndrome, Molecular, Public Health, Sleep   |  1 Comment

TRPA1 – Thermosensory and Chemosensory properties and Evolution

21Oct11

Just saw Paul Garrity present an interesting story on the function and evolution of TRPA1–a chemical and temperature sensitive cation channel of the transient receptor potential family. He initially discovered TRPA1’s role in thermosensation using an RNAi screening of drosophila larvae on a thermal gradient. As small ectotherms (a term which essentially means cold-blooded), drosophila […]


Filed under: Drosophila, Genetics, Molecular, Uncategorized   |  Leave a Comment
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