Efficient identification and cloning of single gene deletions in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
To create mutant strains of the Caenorhabditis elegan nematode by deleting, or knocking out, specific genes in its genome.
| Project Leaders | Don Moerman |
|---|---|
| Project Co-Investigators | Stephane Flibotte, Robert Barstead |
| Involved Organizations |
University of British Columbia
Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
|
| Funding Agencies |
Genome Canada
Genome British Columbia
|
Overview
The small soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has one of the
smallest genomes sequenced, and with less than a thousand somatic cells it is
the simplest multicellular model organism. These features make the worm an
ideal choice for studies on cell, tissue and organ function. Mutations within
individual genes are powerful tools to study cell and tissue function within an
organism since such mutations often offer insight into the function of a gene
in various biological contexts. There are about 20,000 genes in the nematode
and comparative sequence analysis of the human and C. elegans genomes reveals that these two widely divergent species
have about 7,000 genes in common. In many cases these genes, when dysfunctional
within humans, least to inherited diseases, susceptibility to cancers or other
health related problems. Understanding the basic biological function of these
genes in C. elegans could have direct
consequences for medical diagnosis and treatment in humans. However, only about
15% of the nematode genes have mutations indicative of gene function.
Our goal is to provide 4,000 mutant strains
of the C. elegan nematode by deleting, or knocking out, specific genes in its
genome, providing a resource for the international research community, and
continue to provide researchers around the world with deletion mutations in
genes in the small soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Nematode genes to be targeted will be
chosen after consultation with the research community and our Scientific
Advisory board. Our focus will be on –
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Nematode genes with human homologs, particularly those genes known to be associated with human disease, and those genes for which there is sequence homology but nothing is known about function in any system.
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Genes unique to nematodes. This group of genes offer the best potential targets for nematicides to protect human health and agricultural crops.
Contact Information
For all project related inquires please contact us.
Robyn Roscoe, Project Team Leader
Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency
Email: rroscoe@bcgsc.ca
Phone: 604-707-5963 x 5436
Fax: 604-876-3561