# QTL-MAPPING OF LONGEVITY GENES IN DROSOPHILA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 1993 · $197,521

## Abstract

We propose to identify candidate longevity assurance genes (LAGs) using
Quantitative Trait Locus-mapping (QTL-mapping) in laboratory populations
of Drosophila melanogaster. QTL-mapping estimates the number, chromosomal
locations, and magnitudes of effect of genes that cause variation in
quantitative characters. Mapping will require 40,000 single-fly PCRs per
year.

Once candidate chromosomal regions have been identified, we will increase
the density of marker loci in regions of interest, to facilitate cloning
and sequencing of QTLs.

The evolutionary role of QTLs in heterogeneous populations will be studied
in two ways: by creating a "marker-selected" population from the base
population, and by examining the trajectories of linked and unlinked
marker loci in heterogeneous populations that are subjected to artificial
selection for increased longevity.

Notable aspects of the proposed research are: (i) Novelty of approach;
QTL-mapping has not been applied to Drosophila, but has been very
successful in plants. (ii) New technology; marker loci will be identified
using RAPDs, a PCR-based technique that allows the assay of many loci in
single flies. (iii) The experimental design has been optimized by Monte
Carlo simulation of QTL-mapping experiments. (iv) Collaboration; PI and
post-doc will attend NIA workshops, collaborate with the Luckinbill lab at
Wayne State University in construction of stocks, and share recombinant-
inbred lines with other labs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3123579
- **Project number:** 1R01AG011722-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KABJZBBJ4B54
- **Principal Investigator:** James W CURTSINGER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $197,521
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1993-09-01 → 1998-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3123579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3123579, QTL-MAPPING OF LONGEVITY GENES IN DROSOPHILA (1R01AG011722-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3123579. Licensed CC0.

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