35th Annual Student Research Conference
The Role of MRP-5 Exporting Heme to the Hypodermis In Adult Caenorhabditis elegans
Manie Brema
Dr. Stephanie Maiden, Faculty Mentor
Heme is an essential molecule among living organisms. Heme plays a role in supplying oxygen into the bloodstream, however when defects occur genetic disorders such as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) arise. Understanding the role of heme gives us greater insight into human disorders and human development. Heme can be studied using a roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans. C.elegans transport heme from their environment using the transport protein MRP-5. The MRP-5 gene, mrp-5, is found to be expressed in the intestines where heme transport is integral for embryonic development. The mrp-5 gene is also expressed in the hypodermis, however, there have been few studies done to see if the MRP-5 role in transporting heme to the hypodermis affects the development of adult worms. For this project, we aim to look at the role of MRP-5 in transporting heme to the hypodermis in adult worms by reducing the mrp-5 gene through RNA interference.
Keywords: hypodermis , c. elegans , mrp-5 , development , RNA interference , growth , heme , transport
Topic(s):Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 106-2
Location: MG 1000
Time: 8:45