This website was constructed as a class project for Genetics 564, an undergraduate Genetics course at UW-Madison.
What is Chemical Genetics?
Chemical genetics is a way of studying genetics using small molecules [1]. First, a library of chemicals is established. This can be a diversity-oriented or a focused library; a diversity-oriented library is frequently used as a starting point or an exploratory approach , and a focused library is used when a specific interaction between proteins and small molecules is desired [2]. Next, the model organism of choice (Drosophila are shown below, but nematodes, bacteria, and plants can also be used) are placed in wells for chemical testing. Each well contains one type of small molecule. The final step is to sample the model organism DNA and use microarray to examine gene expression, as shown below on the right. This data can be used to interpret effects of the small molecules on gene expression.
Aldolase B and Chemical Genetics
I was unable to find published data on chemical genetic screens pertaining to aldolase B. However, I propose using chemical genetics to possibly contribute to the development of an HFI supplement in my Specific Aims.
References
1. NCBI. (2014). Chemical Genetics. Retrieved May 18, 2014 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21562678.
2. Ciolli, C.J. (2002). Diversity-Oriented Synthesis. Electronic references. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.chem.wisc.edu/areas/organic/studsemin/ciolli/Ciolli-abs.pdf
Microarray image courtesy of http://solgenomics.net/community/feature/200405.pl. Drosophila image courtesy of http://obbard.bio.ed.ac.uk/photo_gallery/Drosophila_kuntzei_lab.html. Diagram of chemical genetic screen and microarray created by Maddy Ford, 2014.
2. Ciolli, C.J. (2002). Diversity-Oriented Synthesis. Electronic references. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.chem.wisc.edu/areas/organic/studsemin/ciolli/Ciolli-abs.pdf
Microarray image courtesy of http://solgenomics.net/community/feature/200405.pl. Drosophila image courtesy of http://obbard.bio.ed.ac.uk/photo_gallery/Drosophila_kuntzei_lab.html. Diagram of chemical genetic screen and microarray created by Maddy Ford, 2014.