Allison D'Costa
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
(404) 727-4813 - phone
(404) 727-4717 - fax
dcosta@cellbio.emory.edu

Research Interests
I have been characterizing the Su(hh)3A locus at the molecular and phenotypic level. I have made transgenic flies that carry a 17 kb Sac 1 genomic fragment and this completely rescues the phenotype of Su(hh)3A homozygotes. Therefore I have proven that the all sequence required for Su(hh)3A function are contained within this genomic fragment. From my previous work and the Berkeley Drosophila Genome Project data I have found one transcription unit that directs the expression of six mRNA isoforms in adult flies. The longest of these encodes a novel 2,232 residue protein with seven "WD40" domains and 2 "bromo" domains. These have been implicated as protein-protein interaction domains in other cases. I have also been studying the mutant embryonic lethal phenotype by immunohistochemistry: mAb 22C10 staining reveals a nervous system defect.

Education

• BS (Chemistry), St. Xaviers College, University of Bombay, India - 1988
• PhD (Molecular Biology and BioTechnology, advisor: J. Sylvester), Hahnemann University, Philadelphia - 1995

Honors

Professional Experience

• Medical Technologist, Hahnemann Hospital, 1990-1995
• Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center, (advisor: P. Hitchcock) 1995-1998
• Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Emory University (advisor: K. Moses) 1999-present

Publications

• Otteson, D. C., D'Costa, A. R. and Hitchcock, P. F. (2001). Putative stem cells and the lineage of rod photoreceptors in the mature retina of the goldfish. Dev Biol 232, 62-76
• D'Costa, A and Moses K (2003). Looking up: Regional patterning in the Fly eye. Dev Cell 5, 665-666

Go To: Moses Lab Main Page ÿ