Identifying Novel Genes of Waking in Drosophila

Sleeping is a cyclic process regulated by our circadian rhythms and our sleep need, thus clock genes are a critical player in this process. One cause of the sleep disorder, insomnia, is attributed to heightened arousal of waking pathways, resulting in overactive waking instead of deficit in sleep. Genes involved in the waking process in humans can be studied in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies), which have similar mechanism for regulating sleep. To identify novel genes involved in sleep regulation and waking pathways, we have mutagenized the genome of Drosophila with a chemical mutagen, Ethylmethane Sultanate (EMS). These mutants are then screened for differences in their ability to respond to arousing stimuli, such as light and food. These experiments identified mutants with deficits in waking in response to stimuli and will give insight to why people have trouble initiating, maintaining, or have an insufficient duration of sleep