Ball Python Genetics Project
The Ball Python Genetics Project is a research project aimed at understanding the genetic basis of color morphs in ball pythons. Experiments are performed by undergraduates in a laboratory course at Eastern Michigan University. The course is taught and developed by Dr. Hannah Seidel. The project uses DNA samples collected from shed skins of pet ball pythons. To contribute a shed from your animal, please visit the instructions for contributing sheds. Please send questions and comments to hseidel@emich.edu.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed sheds! Our science would not be possible without you!
Contributors!
Recent Podcast Appearances and Mentions:
Normal (wildtype)
Wild ball pythons: Ball pythons (Python regius) are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Wild ball pythons exhibit a mottled color pattern, composed of yellow-to-red and brown-to-black pigments in the skin.
Captive ball pythons: Ball pythons breed well in captivity and have become popular as pets. This breeding effort has uncovered many variants of the normal color pattern. These variants—known as ‘color morphs’—differ from the normal color pattern in the quantity or placement of pigment in the skin.
Color morph genetics: Color morphs in ball pythons are heritable, meaning that they are passed from parent to offspring. Many color morphs show simple dominant or recessive inheritance, suggesting that these color morphs are caused by single mutations in single genes. Despite this simplicity, little was known about the genes and mutations responsible for color morphs.
Project goals: The goal of this project is to discover the genes and mutations responsible for color morphs in ball pythons. This knowledge will provide insight into the molecules, cellular pathways, and developmental mechanisms controlling color patterns in reptiles.
Genetic tests: One outcome of our project is the creation of genetic tests for recessive color morphs. Genetic tests will enable breeders to identify heterozygous carriers of recessive color morphs. This knowledge will help breeders create new combinations of color morphs.
Over 140 undergraduates have contributed to our project!
Course-based undergraduate research: Experiments for the Ball Python Genetics Project are performed by undergraduate students in a laboratory course. Students learn to extract DNA from ball python sheds and to analyze the DNA using tools and techniques of molecular biology. Students also learn to read scientific journal articles and to present their findings in the form of a scientific article. Major findings are published in scientific articles co-authored by students.
Why our project is fun and exciting: Our project gives undergraduates the opportunity to collect real scientific data and make real scientific discoveries. This experience enhances student learning and helps students become engaged in the scientific community.
Scientific communication: A major goal of our project is to communicate our findings to a broad audience. We enjoy answering questions about our project and sharing our discoveries. Please contact us with your questions and comments!