Bradley Jones
Associate Professor of Biology
Phone Number: (662)915-1700
Email: jonesbw@olemiss.edu
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/biology/people/faculty/jones/index.php

Key Words: Molecular genetic mechanisms of nervous system development in Drosophila

Research Description: We are interested in the development of the nervous system. A functional nervous system requires the correct specification and precise organization of a large number of neural cell types. These cell types include the neurons that transmit information and their glial support cells. Drosophila has proven to be an excellent model system for the study of mechanisms underlying neural development. In addition to its sophisticated classical and molecular genetic tools, much is known about the lineages, patterns, and identities of glia and neurons, and about the projections and pathways taken by axons in the developing CNS and PNS. Neurons and glia are arranged in a stereotypical pattern repeated in each segment. They are easily identified by position, and by a large array of markers. We take advantage of these features, using genetic and molecular approaches to uncover processes controlling neural cell fate specification and differentiation in Drosophila.

Honors Theses:

Gatlin, Frances Marie (2020) Evaluation of the Bax-VDAC Interaction and Their Influence on Apoptosis in Drosophila Melanogaster (full text)

Merrell, Marie (2020) Investigation of Bax-VDAC Interactions and Their Role in Apoptosis (full text)

Coleman, Zane Bryant (2018) Determination of the Chromosomal Position of Three Mutations Using Recombination Mapping in Drosophila Melanogaster (full text)

Suiter, Chase (2017) Autoregulation of the Glial Gene Reversed Polarity in Drosophila Melanogaster. (full text)

Mitchell, Savannah (2016) The Application of RNA Interference to Knock Out Groucho Expression in Drosophila S2 Cells. (full text)

Sullivan, John (2014) Investigation of Bax VDAC Interactions and Their Relationship Regarding Apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster. (full text)

Clark, Stephen Thomas (2011) "Using Biomolecular Tools as a Means for Analyzing a cis-regulatory Element of repo in Drosophila melanogastor"

Bennett, Laura Frances (2010) "Investigation of Mutations Affecting Axon Guidance at the Midline in Drosophila" (full text)

Wells, Jeremy Blake (2007) "Characterization of Candidate Glial Cell Specific Genes"

Yates, Ryan Anthony (2007) "Targeted Gene Expression as a Means of Killing Specific Glial Cells in Drosophila Embryos"