The quarternary structure of complex IV of the electron transport chain of Drosophila melanogaster is a key study of Prof. Bill Ballard.
Save the Dingo
Crossbreeding between dingo and domestic dog in the wild is threatening the existence of the Australian native dog. The dingo is distinct from dogs in several physical and behavioural characteristics. This project aims to develop molecular genetic tests to differentiate between genes derived from these two closely related subspecies of wolf. The tests make it possible to check the authenticity of the ancestry of dingoes in the wild and used in breeding programs.
We have 80 Mb of dingo sequence to compare to the dog reference sequence and develop a panel of SNPs and indels that differ consistently between the two. These diagnostic markers, microsatellites, mito-chondrial D-loop sequence & Y chromosome markers will be applied to wild populations to assess their purity.
Mitochondrial DNA sequences have already been used to date the arrival of dingoes in Australia. Application of the techniques to samples from the field with little DNA, e.g. scats and hair, is needed to monitor wild populations. The project will involve DNA analysis using the above techniques and computer analysis of large data sets. Work will be in collaboration with government agencies collecting samples to be analysed in the lab.
References:
- Savolainen P, T Leitner, AN Wilton, E Matisoo-Smith, J Lundeberg. A detailed picture of the Origin of the Australian Dingo, obtained from a study of mitochondrial DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101: 12387-12390, 2004
- Wilton, A.N. DNA Methods of Assessing Dingo Purity. in A Symposium on the Dingo. Dickman C.R. and Lunney D., eds, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman NSW, pp 49-55, 2001
BABS personnel that are responsible for this project