FAM171B mRNA Expression in the Brain
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2017 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Geoffrey Goellner
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Second Mentor's Name
Ashani Sudasinghe
Second Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a disorder characterized by its progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegeneration for which no cure exists. HD is defined by its repeats of CAG (CAG codes for the amino acid glutamine) within its DNA sequence, also referred to as polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences. In HD-afflicted individuals, polyQ sequences expand beyond normal range, causing brain cell death. The absence of polyQ sequences in healthy populations has led to the inference that polyQ stretches are the primary cause of the pathological effects of HD. This is of particular significance in our lab because an uncharacterized protein named FAM171B also contains a polyQ sequence and is hypothesized to function in the brain. The purpose of this research project is to determine if FAM171B is expressed within the brain. If it is, FAM171B could be considered a candidate gene for a currently unidentified neurodegenerative disease, as well as advance the field of cellular neuroBiological Sciences. In our lab, we utilize in-situ hybridization to pinpoint FAM171B gene expression within the brain tissues of mice. We previously sub-cloned FAM171B into a vector containing promotors to create a “probe” via in-vitro transcription. The “probe” is labeled with non-canonical bases, which allow tissues containing FAM171B to “light up” upon application of the “probe”. Thus far, our trials have yielded successful results. With further experimentation, we hope to achieve consistent results that confirm FAM171B’s expression in the brains of mice.
FAM171B mRNA Expression in the Brain
CSU Ballroom
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a disorder characterized by its progressive and ultimately fatal neurodegeneration for which no cure exists. HD is defined by its repeats of CAG (CAG codes for the amino acid glutamine) within its DNA sequence, also referred to as polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences. In HD-afflicted individuals, polyQ sequences expand beyond normal range, causing brain cell death. The absence of polyQ sequences in healthy populations has led to the inference that polyQ stretches are the primary cause of the pathological effects of HD. This is of particular significance in our lab because an uncharacterized protein named FAM171B also contains a polyQ sequence and is hypothesized to function in the brain. The purpose of this research project is to determine if FAM171B is expressed within the brain. If it is, FAM171B could be considered a candidate gene for a currently unidentified neurodegenerative disease, as well as advance the field of cellular neuroBiological Sciences. In our lab, we utilize in-situ hybridization to pinpoint FAM171B gene expression within the brain tissues of mice. We previously sub-cloned FAM171B into a vector containing promotors to create a “probe” via in-vitro transcription. The “probe” is labeled with non-canonical bases, which allow tissues containing FAM171B to “light up” upon application of the “probe”. Thus far, our trials have yielded successful results. With further experimentation, we hope to achieve consistent results that confirm FAM171B’s expression in the brains of mice.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Brooke. "FAM171B mRNA Expression in the Brain." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-A/13
