UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, April 4, 1995
5A
Mutant fruit flies inhabit Haworth
By Robert Allen
Kansan staff writer
Sitting in dull classes all day, studying until your eyes drop out of your head at night and finding time for a job and a social life is the tough way of life for many students at the University of Kansas
But it's nothing compared to what about one million fruit flies at KU have to deal with.
Their life begins in the company of about 100 other flies inside tubes about the size of a roll of quarters, said Robert Cohen, assistant professor of biochemistry. After they are born, they are kept in refrigerators. Then the bizarre experiments begin.
Douglas Ruden, assistant professor of physiology and cell biology, breeds fruit flies that have a tail where their head should be. The flies are called bicaudal monsters.
bicaudal meaning having two tails. The flies have a gene mutation called Mothra, Ruden said.
"This is a mutation I found, actually. I named it Mothra because it's the most famous insect monster," he said.
The bicadaal flies are doomed from the beginning. Because they have no head, they also have no brain. The flies never make it past the egg stage, Ruden said. The flies need a body part called a mouth hook to break out of their shells, and because they lack heads, they also lack mouth hooks.
"It would be analogous to humans, where right at the belly button, you would have legs coming up again," he said.
Fruit flies are used in the study of genetics because their short life spans mean they reproduce rapidly, Cohen said. The flies are
capable of reproducing at the ripe old age of 11 days.
"That's one of the attributes that allows us to do genetics," he said. "To do genetics, we have to make matings to study. If it takes you a year to do one mating, it's difficult to do genetics."
Cohen breeds fruit flies with their heads and tails in the proper places, but the flies have either two backs or two bellies. These flies also never hatch, but Cohen examines the embryos after peeling away the shell, he said.
After their short, refrigerated lives, their bodies are sterilized using high pressure steam and dumped in the trash. Occasionally, a few lucky flies escape captivity, but there are no swarms of rogue flies in Haworth乳. Cohen said.
"We haven't had any complaints, so I don't think they get loose too often," he said.
STEVENS: Students benefit from lobbying in Statehouse
Continued from Page 1.
Third Millennium
In addition to working with lobbying groups, Stevens said that he was active on the forums committee of Student Union Activities. He helped bring several prominent speakers to campus, including Noam Chomsky, Ruth Westheimer and Third Millennium national speakers.
Stevens said that students should vote for him because of his motivation for action.
"When I became a member of Senate and I saw a need for change, I worked to change it," he said. "That's where the other coalition is lacking."
Jeff Livingston, Wichita junior, is Stevens' roommate and is running on the REAL coalition.
"Well, he used to have a life, and now he has the campaign," Livingston said.
When Stevens isn't involved with politics, he said that he usually enjoys following local rock bands.
DAVID STEVENS
David Stevens, candidate for student body president with the REAL coalition:
Year In School: Junior
Major: English
Hometown: Wichita
Age:20
Senate Experience: Nunemaker senator for one year, co-coordinator of the Student Legislative Awareness Board
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Attention 1995 Graduates!
Don't get lost in cyberspace when you graduate.
StavWired
through the KU Alumni Association your contact to more than 45,000 alumni members worldwide.
To help establish your link, the Association provides a free six-month membership for all new graduates. Your benefits begin April 1 and last through September 30.
Here's a checklist to help keep you on task:
Meet alumni staff on Wescoe Beach April 5 and 6.
Attend the Class of '95 Graduate Gatherings sponsored by the Student Alumni Association April 11, 12 and 13. (RSVP form in Commencement packet) Come to enjoy free burgers and 50c draws (with ID).
Tour the Alumni Association April 25, 26 or 27. Call 864-4760.
Give the Alumni Association your post Commencement address and job information so we can stay connected.
Sign up for your complimentary Learned Club membership at the Alumni Center.
Attend Commencement Breakfast May 14.(RSVP form in Commencement packet)
Remember to stay wired to the Hill through the Alumni Association. 864-4760.
Put a 'Hawk in your pocket. Call INTRUST Card Center for an application,1-800-222-7458.
And if you sign up for a bank card at the Graduate Gatherings April 11, 12, or 13, you receive a free Jayhawk license plate frame.
INTRUST CARD CENTER
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