|
u
n d e r g r a d u a t e .
r
e s e a r c h.. o p p o r t u n i t
i e s
We
study germline development in the soil nematode, C. elegans,
using genetic and molecular techniques. C. elegans is a commonly
used study organism whose development has been described in detail
at the cellular level. A large amount is known about its development,
and this information is extremely helpful to our studies.
During
the course of C. elegans development, germ cells first proliferate
and later enter meiosis and differentiate as either sperm or oocytes.
We address several related questions about how these steps in germline
development are regulated. For example, germ cells at the distal
end of the gonad receive a signal from an adjacent somatic cell,
the distal tip cell (DTC), that keeps them in mitosis and prevents
them from entering meiosis. Germ cells that are more distant from
the DTC do not receive this signal and, therefore, enter meiosis
and differentiate as gametes. We are working toward understanding
the biochemical basis of this DTC-to-germ cell signaling process
and how it causes mitosis and/or blocks meiosis. Progress through
meiosis proceeds at a different pace depending on whether a germ
cell differentiates to form sperm or an oocyte. Therefore, it is
likely that germ cells choose to differentiate as sperm or an oocyte
at approximately the same time that they decide to enter meiosis.
Another question addressed in the lab is how this sperm/oocyte choice
is coordinated with the mitotic/meiotic choice.
Our
basic experimental strategy is to use genetics to identify genes
whose products may be necessary for a specific aspect of germline
development (i.e., proliferation). We are currently studying several
genes that seem to play a role in germline mitosis and, in some
cases, other aspects of germ cell development. We use a combination
of genetic and molecular techniques to study a variety of questions,
including (1) when and where these genes are expressed during development,
(2) the nature and function of their protein products, (3) if and
when those products interact with other germline proteins whose
functions are known.
An
undergraduate student entering my lab should expect to read and
discuss with me the relevant primary literature in order to get
an overview of the field we study. S/he will be introduced to basic
C. elegans biology and experimental techniques. Together,
we will decide on a research project that dovetails with both the
student's area(s) of interest and ongoing research in our lab.
Eleanor Maine
426B Lyman Hall
443-9169
emmaine@syr.edu |
