Abstract Dr. Yamashita
Identification and characterization of microsatellite loci , SNP’s, and toxin genes for genetic analysis of a medically important scorpion species
Tsunemi Yamashita, PhD
Abstract
Scorpion toxins are medically important as they can be life threatening to humans. Despite the medical importance of scorpion toxins, no research has investigated the variation in venom characteristics across a single species’ geographic range. An analysis of toxin gene variability coupled with genetic diversification among scorpion populations will provide insights into the extent of toxin variability and its relationship with population genetic structure. This avenue of analysis can then be extended to differentiation among sister species that vary in toxic effects to humans. To conduct such research, molecular markers must be identified to determine genetic differentiation among populations. In addition, other markers, linked to toxin genes, must be identified to establish toxin gene variability among scorpion populations. This research project focuses upon the identification of molecular markers (microsatellities and SNPs) for scorpion population genetic differentiation and toxin gene diversification analysis. Furthermore, we propose to sequence toxin gene regions to investigate toxin gene variability among populations. This project is a continuation of the BRIN project begun in the 2003 summer that focused on microsatellite identification within the scorpion genome.
Updated 10/31/2005
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