Female Fly Changes after Mating

For The Fruit Fly, Everything Changes After Sex

ScienceDaily (Dec. 11, 2007) — Barry Dickson, director of the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Austria, and his group are interested in the genetic basis of innate behavior. They focus on the reproductive behaviour of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Two years ago, the team was able to identify the fruitless gene as a key regulator of mating behavior.

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In the experiment, the scientists found out that female flies lose its interests in contact with male after it mated ,and the female begin to lay down eggs. SPR, the Sexual Petitide Receptor,which is found in insect,is active in the reproductive organs as well as the brain of the flies. Because the SPR-like resceptor blocks the SPR as the Birth control pills, changes the female's sexual contacts.

This news opens my interest on the SPR. Do we have it? influence our act?????
Cool~

Source: Research Institute of Molecular Pathology. "For The Fruit Fly, Everything Changes After Sex." ScienceDaily 11 December 2007. 11 December 2007 /releases/2007/12/071210163142.htm>.

Broccoli is going to be tough!

"Genes Identified To Protect Broccoli, Cabbage, Other Brassicas, From Damaging Virus"

This news brings us a good news-the scientists have reasearched a way to breed the crops: broccoli, cabbage, and other brassicas in the way which they can resist the virus--Turnip mosaic virus, TuMV(damages the crops).

The Scientists grow the gene in the plants that they have the traits to against the TuMV virus. That's what just learn in the class-Gene Engeneering.

People really use this technology in many aspect in lives. Making lives easier and convient.

Source

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. "Genes Identified To Protect Broccoli, Cabbage, Other Brassicas, From Damaging Virus." ScienceDaily 2 November 2007. 2 November 2007 .

seedless grape

Yesterday, I was wondering how could grape be produced while I was eating it. Then I pulled my computer power on and right to search in the internet: seedless grape.
fleetly, I found the answer at the Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape#Seedlessness

So on, I know that it's only produced by the female side, and its nutrional value is less than the seed one.

People rather to eat seedless fruit than eating seed one, but not better for their health.