Anna Nelson Dittrich, Ph.D.
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Background
I joined the Whiteman lab in the summer of 2012, just after receiving my Ph.D. in biochemistry from Texas A&M University. Since then, I've learned a little about evolutionary biology and have tried to apply some of my biochemistry knowledge to a new system.
Lately, I have been working on glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) present in the herbivorous fly Scaptomyza flava. GSTs are ubiquitous in eukaryotes, and they perform a wide range of functions mostly related to cellular detoxification. Cells come into contact with many harmful molecules; some are produced by the cell itself (e.g. reactive oxygen species), whereas others are introduced from the environment (e.g. insecticides). GSTs form one part of the cell's detoxification system, conjugating glutathione to the toxin to prevent it from reacting with important cellular components like proteins, nucleic acids, or lipids. Because GSTs are broadly important for cellular protection, and because GST evolution is known to contribute to insecticide resistance, we think GSTs could also help insects cope with a novel diet and its associated toxins.
S. flava's ancestors probably fed on rotting plant products, as the majority of Drosophila do. However, a few million years ago, S. flava diverged to begin living on and in mustard plants (family Brassicaceae). This behavioral shift was likely accompanied by numerous genetic changes, which many members of our lab are working to elucidate. I'm hoping to figure out whether S. flava's detoxification genes have gotten better at removing the anti-herbivore defense compounds produced by mustards. With the genome of S. flava almost complete, I have been working on finding and characterizing GSTs that might have a role in adaptation to an herbivorous lifestyle.
CV
Lately, I have been working on glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) present in the herbivorous fly Scaptomyza flava. GSTs are ubiquitous in eukaryotes, and they perform a wide range of functions mostly related to cellular detoxification. Cells come into contact with many harmful molecules; some are produced by the cell itself (e.g. reactive oxygen species), whereas others are introduced from the environment (e.g. insecticides). GSTs form one part of the cell's detoxification system, conjugating glutathione to the toxin to prevent it from reacting with important cellular components like proteins, nucleic acids, or lipids. Because GSTs are broadly important for cellular protection, and because GST evolution is known to contribute to insecticide resistance, we think GSTs could also help insects cope with a novel diet and its associated toxins.
S. flava's ancestors probably fed on rotting plant products, as the majority of Drosophila do. However, a few million years ago, S. flava diverged to begin living on and in mustard plants (family Brassicaceae). This behavioral shift was likely accompanied by numerous genetic changes, which many members of our lab are working to elucidate. I'm hoping to figure out whether S. flava's detoxification genes have gotten better at removing the anti-herbivore defense compounds produced by mustards. With the genome of S. flava almost complete, I have been working on finding and characterizing GSTs that might have a role in adaptation to an herbivorous lifestyle.
CV
