22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Folic Acid on Cell Migration During Caenorhabditis elegans
Development
Chelle King Porter
Dr. Timothy D. Walston, Faculty Mentor
In Caenorhabditis elegans, one of the major morphogenetic events is dorsal intercalation during the development of the epidermis of the embryo, which resembles a process called convergent extension. In vertebrates, failure of convergent extension often results in neural tube defects (NTDs). Since NTDs are decreased when periconceptional levels of folate are increased, we sought to examine the effects of folic acid on morphogenesis in C. elegans. To analyze this problem, we are utilizing several approaches to remove folate from C. elegans diet. We created and evaluated multiple axenic media to determine the best substrate for culturing C. elegans with differential nutrient requirements during embryogenesis. Additionally, we have used folate-deficient E. coli as a food source and plan to assess the role of valproic acid in cell migration.
Keywords: C. elegans, folate, cell migration, development, NTD, dorsal intercalation, folt-1
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 10-1
Location: VH 1408
Time: 8:15