Type

Text

Type

Thesis

Advisor

Matus, David Q. | Thomsen, Gerald H. | Taber, Charles

Date

2017-12-01

Keywords

Cniwi | Developmental biology | FoxO | Lin28 | Nematostella | Piwi | Stem Cell Markers

Department

Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Language

en_US

Source

This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.

Identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/11401/78222

Publisher

The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.

Format

application/pdf

Abstract

Nematostella vectensis possess a robust regenerative ability that is characteristic of other cnidarians and highly regenerative model organisms that use stem cells to rebuild missing parts. By identifying somatic stem cell populations and their relationship with regeneration, breakthroughs in regenerative medicine can be made. This study focused on several stem cell marker candidates, Cniwi1, Cniwi2, FoxO and Lin28, as their roles have been associated with stem cell regulation, renewal, and cellular processes. Documenting the spatial and temporal expression patterns of these candidate genes will help validate their functions as stem cell markers. The present study has found that FoxO and Lin28 share similar expression patterns, where expression increases in the later developmental stages: planula and polyp. The expression is localized to the body columns endodermal layer and the aboral region of the pharynx. Cniwi1 and Cniwi2's expression profiles were inconsistent and thus unable to identify any patterning. A reevaluation of the probes may provide a solution to this issue. Additional trials will need to be performed in order to further validate these results and thus identify stem cell markers to be used to study mechanisms of regeneration. | 38 pages

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