Project Overview
Signaling in sensory cell progenitors
Department(s)
Biology
Neuroscience
Abstract
Loss of sensory cells like photoreceptors or auditory hair cells can lead to permanent sensory deficit in mammals, but in other species, similar damage initiates a regenerative response in nearby cells that can replace the lost cells and restrore sensory function. The main focus of our lab is working to understand the signaling mechanisms that these progenitor cells utilize to appropriately coordinate the regeneration, restoring both the proper number and types of sensory cells while also maintaining a population of progenitors that can respond to future damage. Our work utilizes fish species (including zebrafish and Astyanax) as models and projects involve studying the initial development of sensory systems as well as the regenerative response to specific targeted damage to the sensory cells. Pharmacology and genetics are utilized to manipulate specific pathways of interest and a variety of techniques allow analysis of the cellular responses, including immunocytochemistry, microscopy, in situ hybridization, PCR, and other techniques.
Student Qualifications
Either Neur 170 or Biol 182.
No specific experience or background needed other than background from either of these courses.
Willingness to work with animals (fish) in a research environment.
Number of Student Researchers
3+1 STARS students
Project Length
10 weeks
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