The Attractin Gene

Realizing the time limitation for the senior research project, I have very clear goals that I will focus on for the remainder of my time at the laboratory. For the past few weeks, I have been optimizing a number of primers to amplify various regions of the attractin gene. However, in order to obtain sufficient data to create a research paper that includes results, I will now focus my attention on sequencing and analyzing three regions of the attractin gene, introns 4, 17, and 23, in the Kenzin population and some of the Carrizozo population. The attractin gene has 28 introns, so focusing on these three regions of the gene will allow me to obtain data that spans the gene to determine if variation in these regions of the gene is associated with coat color. I have begun my week by completing the steps necessary to sequence intron 17 in the sample of approximately ten light and ten dark individuals from the Carrizozo population. I have also continued the steps necessary to sequence intron 4. For intron 23, however, I still must optimize the primer before I can begin sequencing the samples.

As this week is spring break, the University campus is very quiet and the parking garage is very empty. However, the laboratory is still hard at work with each individual aiding in scientific discovery!