Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Kaitlyn Conner

Genetic Analysis of Wnt7ba in Tooth Regeneration and Replacement

Tooth regeneration provides a model for studying the genetic mechanisms behind organogenesis. In many vertebrates, teeth are shed and regenerated continuously, yet the molecular pathways driving this are not fully understood. Our lab used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mutations in three Wnt ligands implicated in epithelial morphogenesis and regenerative processes such as mammalian hair growth. My project specifically focuses on Wnt7ba and its role in tooth morphology in the threespine stickleback. We hypothesize Wnt7ba activates regeneration pathways, and its disruption will reduce tooth number and replacement in mutants. I am analyzing three mutant lines to assess the loss-of-function effects of this Wnt7ba disruption.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you for your generous support in making this opportunity possible! Research has been a central and rewarding part of my college experience, and I am excited to continue developing my skills and exploring what it means to do science. I greatly appreciate your support and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to continue learning and growing this summer!