Project Overview
Signaling in sensory cell progenitors
Department(s)
Biology
Neuroscience
Abstract
In mammals, loss of sensory hair cells in the inner ear or photoreceptors in the retina leads to permanent sensory deficit. However, in fish, these cells are readily regenerated from stem/progenitor cells. This project is to examine the signal transduction pathways that control the regeneration of sensory cells from these progenitors. The project involves analyzing cellular behaviors via microscopy, measuring gene expression changes via in situ hybridization, and altering key pathways with pharmacological inhibitors or transgenes. Students will become familiar with the scientific literature around these questions as they design new experiments to uncover the mechanisms by which sensory regeneration is controlled.
Student Qualifications
Biol 182 or Neur 170
Number of Student Researchers
4 students
Project Length
10 weeks
Applications open on 10/03/2023 and close on 02/28/2024