25th 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 Caenorhabditis elegans and C. brigggsae allow for detailed observation and analysis of the forces acting upon blastomeres during early embryogenesis. The similar and unique properties of the four-cell stage of emgbryogenesis presented an opportunity for a comparative study regarding EMS cell shape using differential interference contrast 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 and manual, digital segmentations taken of the EMS cell extension have been compared and analyzed to show differences in a number of aspects. These differences warrant further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of the species that affect the magnitude of this cellular protrusion.
Keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans, microscopy, embryogenesis
Topic(s):Biology
Mathematical Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 112-4
Location: MG 1098
Time: 9:00