Martin, Marjorie-Dore
(University of Melbourne, 1975)
This study attempts to develop a logically consistent approach to the analysis of the genetic basis of complete metamorphosis in holometabolous insects,using the Australian brown blowfly, Calliphora stygia (Diptera), as the experimental organism. The following aspects of the problem have been examined:
1. Definition of the protein and enzyme spectra of selected larval and imaginal tissues during development.
2. Identification of the homologous gene products amongst various tissues with the view to establishing the uniqueness or overlap of gene readout in the series of tissues.
3. Identification of the times of synthesis of gene products as distinct from the duration of their occurrence leading to a definition of overall patterns of gene activities in the series of tissues.
4. Investigation of a specific model system for hormone action in vitro, namely with fat-body tissue and moulting hormone (MH).
Current genetic models of insect metamorphosis have been examined in the light of the findings in this study of C. stygia.