The loss of olfactory sensitivity is thought to be one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Drosophila melanogaster provides a potentially powerful model to study biochemical mechanisms. Previous research on the olfactory system of Drosophila suggests that the olfactory receptor, Or83b, is required for a functional olfactory system. The objective of this study was to examine the Drosophila olfactory receptor function of Or83b using a behavioral assay and siRNA knockdowns.The results suggest that Or83b is used to locate food and is also used in locating other individuals to find food. This experiment provides new insight into the biochemical basis of olfactory reception in Drosophila.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Earley, Alison Marie

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042612-122439

Advisor

• Gegear, Robert J.
• Duffy, Joseph B.

Year

• 2012

Date created

• 2012-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright