24th Annual Student Research Conference
Geometric Comparisons of the EMS Blastomere in Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae
Corey R. Johnson♦
Dr. Timothy D. Walston, Dr. Scott Thatcher, and Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner, Faculty Mentors
The four-cell stage of the nematode worms, Caenorhabditis elegans and C. brigggsae, allow for detailed observation and analysis of the forces acting upon blastomeres during early embryogenesis. The embryo of both species exhibit an invariant cell lineage, transparent eggshell and easily identified cell boundaries. Cell shape dynamics can be easily observed using four-dimensional differential interference contrast microscopy and confocal microscopy. The EMS blastomere of the four-cell stage embryo in both species changes in size and shape dynamically throughout the duration of the developmental stage. Hand measurements taken of the EMS cell extension will be compared between the two species. Quantification of this phenomenon and statistical differences may warrant further exploration as to differences in molecular mechanisms of the species that affect the magnitude of this cellular protrusion.
Keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans, microscopy, embryogenesis
Topic(s):Mathematical Biology
Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 32-3
Location: MG 1000
Time: 1:45