Christiane Nusslein-Volhard Facts
Christiane Nusslein-Volhard Facts
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| Interesting Christiane Nusslein-Volhard Facts: |
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| In the late 1970s and early 1980s, very little was known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms by which multicellular organisms develop from single cells to complex forms during embryogenesis. |
| Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus identified genes used in embryonic development with a series of genetic screens. They created random mutations in fruit flies using EMS. Some of the mutations affected genes involved in the development of the embryo. |
| In normal Drosophila, each segment makes bristles called denticles in a band arranged on the side of the close to the head. |
| Many of these genes were given descriptive names based on the appearance of the mutant larvae, such as hedgehog. |
| Later, researchers identified exactly which gene had been affected by each mutation, thereby identifying a set of genes crucial for Drosophila embryogenesis. |
| She is known for working with fruit flies. |
| Nusslein-Volhard and Wieschaus were able to figure out that particular genes were involved in different processes during development based on the different mutant phenotypes. |
| They used fruit flies because there are a lot of them and because they reproduce very quickly. Many scientists for a very long time have used fruit flies for their experiments. |
| These experiments also greatly increased our understanding of the purpose of transcription, as well as what happens to cells during development. |
| She won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995, together with Eric Wieschaus and Edward B. Lewis, for their research on the genetic control of embryonic development. |
| Their research has greatly affected the Drosophila species and its development. |
| Due to the technology available at the time, the experiments were a very big deal it was considered a large scale experiment. |
| Nüsslein-Volhard is associated with the discovery of Toll, which led to the identification of toll-like receptors. |
| Nusslein-Volhard created a company that provides childcare for young German scientists. |
| She's won over 28 awards since 1986. |
| She also has many honorary doctorates from 12 different schools. |
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