San Diego State University- Planarian Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology
Principle Investigator : Ricardo M. Zayas, Ph.D.
Goal: To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tissue regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.
Methods and Techniques: The lab uses the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as model organism to study central nervous system regeneration. Experiments involve using various in-situ hybridization techniques and immunoassays for expression analysis and RNAi for loss of function analysis.
Involvement: Upon joining the lab, I worked on a project investigating the role of a bHLH transcription factor COE in central nervous system regeneration. Currently, I am investigating motor neuron specific homeodomain trasncription factors, their role in regeneration and potential use as genetic markers in the planarian.
Goal: To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tissue regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.
Methods and Techniques: The lab uses the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as model organism to study central nervous system regeneration. Experiments involve using various in-situ hybridization techniques and immunoassays for expression analysis and RNAi for loss of function analysis.
Involvement: Upon joining the lab, I worked on a project investigating the role of a bHLH transcription factor COE in central nervous system regeneration. Currently, I am investigating motor neuron specific homeodomain trasncription factors, their role in regeneration and potential use as genetic markers in the planarian.
Boston University School of Medicine- Sleep and Circadian Physiology Laboratory
Principle Investigator : Irina Zhdanova, MD, Ph.D.
Goal: The lab's main interests are to understand the regulatory function of circadian physiology on development, aging and sleep. The lab utilizes both a zebrafish and a rhesus monkey model.
Methods and Techniques: The lab incorporates a diverse range of techniques including construction of reporter genes utilizing green florescent protein (GFP), immnoassays for melatonin, cAMP and BrdU, protein analysis by western blot and behavioral assessments.
Involvement: As a SURP Scholar, I spent ten weeks on a project investigating circadian regulation of neurogenesis in the adult central nervous system of zebrafish.
Goal: The lab's main interests are to understand the regulatory function of circadian physiology on development, aging and sleep. The lab utilizes both a zebrafish and a rhesus monkey model.
Methods and Techniques: The lab incorporates a diverse range of techniques including construction of reporter genes utilizing green florescent protein (GFP), immnoassays for melatonin, cAMP and BrdU, protein analysis by western blot and behavioral assessments.
Involvement: As a SURP Scholar, I spent ten weeks on a project investigating circadian regulation of neurogenesis in the adult central nervous system of zebrafish.
San Diego State University- Behavioral Neurobiology Research Laboratory
Principle Investigator : Susan Brasser, Ph.D
Goal: The primary goal of research is to understand the physiological mechanisms responsible for the abuse of addictive substances, such as alcohol. Recent studies in the lab have focused on the Insular Cortex, and investigating its role in promoting consumption of alcohol through chemosensory processing and responding.
Methods and Techniques: Recent studies in the lab have used pharmacological and genetic manipulations in rodents to observe the effects of Insular Cortex (IC) inactivation. Immunohistochemistry is also used to quantitatively measure C-fos Protein expression in the IC in response to chemosensory cues of alcohol.
Involvement: January 2012 - Present
Goal: The primary goal of research is to understand the physiological mechanisms responsible for the abuse of addictive substances, such as alcohol. Recent studies in the lab have focused on the Insular Cortex, and investigating its role in promoting consumption of alcohol through chemosensory processing and responding.
Methods and Techniques: Recent studies in the lab have used pharmacological and genetic manipulations in rodents to observe the effects of Insular Cortex (IC) inactivation. Immunohistochemistry is also used to quantitatively measure C-fos Protein expression in the IC in response to chemosensory cues of alcohol.
Involvement: January 2012 - Present