Iris Howlett, a Molecular and Cellular Biology senior, works in Dr. Mani Ramaswami's lab using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic tool.
Howlett uses electron microscopy and a genetic assay that causes a visible change in the structure of the eye to identify and understand genes with similar or opposing functions to FMR1. Mutations in this gene cause Fragile-X Syndrome in humans, the leading cause of inherited mental retardation in children.

Using overexpression of FMR1, which causes a rough eye in Drosophila, genes that interact with FMR1 can be identified either by knocking out a copy of the gene or by overexpressing the target gene along with FMR1 and looking for a change in the appearance of the eye. Interacting genes are likely to act either in parallel or antagonistic biochemical pathways. For example, Me31B, which Iris showed to reduce the severity of the rough eye, is thought to work in a parallel pathway and Belle, which enhances the roughness, is thought to work in an antagonistic pathway. Identification of genetic interactors could potentially lead to the discovery of targets for future treatments for individuals with Fragile-X.

Iris Howlett, UBRP alum, Dr. Mani Ramaswami's laboratory, Molecular & Cellular Biology. Iris will begin a doctoral program in Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of California - Berkeley.