You've probably heard that DNA contains the genetic code -- the "instruction manual" (if you will). Within DNA, some of these segments of A's, T's, G's and C's found in a certain order contain the instructions (= genes) to create proteins -- the macromolecules that actually "carry out" the instructions of DNA. Researchers, such as evolutionary developmental biologists, study how genes relate to the process of organismal development and how that process (and the underlying genetic code) is similar, or different, across different species. In this episode, I chat with Nickel Spartz ('26) about the research that he conducted with Professor Brad Hersh studying the development of fruit fly body plans and wings.
