In eukaryotes, genes are organized into segments referred to as exons and introns.  When genes are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA), the exons are joined together and the introns are spliced out. The majority of eukaryotic genes contain multiple exons and introns.  In such cases, the exons can be joined together in different patterns in a process called alternative splicing to generate multiple mRNAs from a single gene, each of which can encode a protein with a distinct function. Alternative splicing is a common means by which eukaryotes regulate gene expression and is the primary means of enhancing the diversity of proteins encoded in the genome.  In addition, defects in alternative splicing can result in the onset of many human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and myotonic dystrophy.  Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which alternative splicing is regulated is of tremendous importance to human health.

My laboratory is interested in all aspects of the regulation of alternative splicing in Drosophila melanogaster.  Drosophila is an excellent system in which to study alternative splicing due to the ability to use cutting-edge genetic, biochemical, tissue culture, and genomic technologies.  In addition, the majority of the genes involved in the regulation of alternative splicing are shared between humans and flies.  Thus, the principals we learn by studying this process in Drosophila are directly applicable to the regulation of alternative splicing in humans.