Brynn Brady L&S Biological Sciences
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing To Test An Enhancer Underlying Evolution
The molecular basis of evolutionary change in morphology is not well understood. Although progress has been made linking genes to morphological phenotypes through genetic knockouts, little is known about how genetic variation underlies observed morphological differences between organisms in nature.
Recent studies propose that changes in non-coding genomic regions that regulate transcription called enhancers explain most evolved morphological variation. My research will test the hypothesis that changes in an intronic enhancer of a known developmental gene, Bmp6, underlie evolved changes in tooth patterning in fish. I will perform genomic knock-in assays using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to swap natural variants of this enhancer and assay tooth number and patterning. This work will contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis of morphological evolution and determine whether genome editing enhancer sequences can recreate naturally evolved morphological change.
Message To Sponsor
I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity and privilege to participate in SURF this summer. Working independently gave me new confidence in designing, executing, analyzing, and presenting my work. SURF also allowed me to learn about collaboration within niche fields of academia as I got to meet with numerous professors and experts in my field. My research this summer has bolstered my love for research and confirmed by desire to continue my research career through graduate school.