Cathryn Dong L&S Biological Sciences
Investigate the impact of Chrnal-E on cell proliferation in Cassiopeia
Sleep is a conserved behavior, yet its role in promoting growth remains poorly understood. In the jellyfish Cassiopea, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit Chrnal-E promotes wakefulness and is structurally similar to human Chrna7, which regulates cell proliferation via the EGR1 pathway.
This project investigates whether Chrnal-E similarly regulates cell proliferation in Cassiopea. Using RNAi knockdown of Chrnal-E, I will compare proliferation levels in polyps and jellyfish using EdU labeling and Click-iT Chemistry. Whole-mount in situ hybridization will localize Chrnal-E mRNA expression, and TUNEL labeling will assess apoptosis. If knockdown reduces proliferation or increases apoptosis, it would suggest Chrnal-E’s functional role in growth. A backup experiment using MG624, an α7-nAChR antagonist, will test pathway involvement. This study may reveal evolutionarily conserved mechanisms linking sleep, growth, and cholinergic signaling.
Message To Sponsor
I am deeply appreciative for your funding of my research on children's rights. This topic is especially fascinating to me as U.S. state policy largely determines when and how children bear rights. My project will be one of the final steps after collecting data on this issue for over a year. Working under Dr. Jill Berrick, is such a privilege and I've gained invaluable insight into what future policies can best improve the freedom and well being of children and adolescence.