Postdocs and Graduate Students

Ms.c. student 

Office: Multi purpose building Room: 222

Subject: The genetic basis of diurnal preference by QTL mapping using RAD sequencing in Drosophila melanogaster Although day-to-day activity scheduling is considered a very important feature of the ecological niche of animals, very little is known about the genetics of this diurnal preference

Studies in humans and animals show that there is significant natural variability in the timing of their daily activities. 

My research focuses on finding the genetic  basis of diurnal preference. l use the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping method.  

To create the strains needed for mapping, 2 fly strains, a diurnal active strain and a nocturnal active strain were selected.

The activity of individuals from both strains was again measured in a dedicated system and an analysis was performed to verify the phenotype.

Both the diurnal and nocturnal strains were hybridized and the diurnal activity of the 1st generation offspring was measured.

F1 females were bred with the males from the diurnal active breed (BC-backcross hybridization). The phenotype of about 300 flies was measured.

According to the analysis from the activity experiments, about 250 flies were collected and frozen with a representative phenotype for the continuation of the experiment.

QTL - Quantitative mapping of the genotype phenotype using RADseq sequencing.

Advisors: Prof. Eran Tauber ( The head of biological clocks Lab.)