2010 Student Research Conference:
23rd Annual Student Research Conference

Geometric Comparisons of the EMS Blastomere in Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae
Corey R. Johnson
Dr. Timothy D. Walston, Faculty Mentor

Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae are great model organisms for studying embryonic development. The embryo, of both species, exhibits an invariant cell lineage, transparent eggshell, and cells that are easily distinguished at the four-cell stage of development. A distinctive feature of the four-cell stage of embryogenesis is the extension of the EMS blastomere towards the ABa blastomere. Much is known about the intercellular dynamics of the four-cell stage embryo, but little is known about the EMS extension of either species. This study will utilize four-dimensional microscopy and a Glazier-Granier-Hogeweg model, previously produced from the Mathematical Biology Program. Geometric measures of cell shape and size of the four-cell embryo will be compared between the two species. If statistical differences are found of cell size and shape of the EMS blastomere between the two species, studies could be conducted to determine the molecular mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon.

Keywords: embryonic development, EMS blastomere, C. elegans, C. briggsae

Topic(s):Mathematical Biology

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 1-5
Location: MG 1098
Time: 9:00

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