The School of Biology and Ecology presents:
Exploring tissue-specific mechanisms and requirements for nucleolar organization using C. elegans
Speaker: Dr. Emily Spaulding Assistant Professor and The George Wojtech Endowed Chair in Neurobiology at MDI Biological Lab
Friday, April 3, 3pm Norman Smith 107
Refreshments served!
Disruptions in the organization of neurons contributes to neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS. However, studying neuronal organization in mammals is technically challenging because neurons are buried deep inside the animal. To overcome this challenge, the Spaulding Lab uses the optically clear nematode, C.elegans, which contains 302 well characterized neurons that are visible in an intact, living animal. Her lab combines genetic engineering of neurodegenerative disease-associated genes with super-resolution imaging of living, adult worms to understand how disrupted cell organization leads to neuronal dysfunction. Their goal is to uncover new therapeutic targets to treat neurodegenerative disease.