Creating a Humanized Tumor Model in Drosophila melanogaster
Location
Session 1 (Room 1300)
Session Format
Oral Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Department of Biology
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Biology
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Belen Abygail Ramos
Dr. Jia
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster (common fruit fly), and humans share many genetic similarities such as the main genes related to ovarian cancer in humans: PTEN, BRCA2, P53, NF1, and RB1. These are present in the form of homologous genes with important roles in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and cell polarity. Previous research indicates that loss of function of these genes results in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC). After silencing different combinations of those target genes using the GAL4/UAS GAL80ts in our lab, epithelial deformation was observed within Drosophila ovaries, successfully creating a tumor model. We achieved a stronger tumor-like phenotype by effective silencing of the genes through prolonging silencing time and increasing working temperature. My objective is to use DAPI and immunohistochemistry as markers to determine morphological and polarity changes in ovarian follicle cells and quantify abnormalities in samples where the target genes were silenced. In addition, we applied the RNA-seq technique to detect any changes at the expression level of genes associated with the 5 gene alterations.
Program Description
The study of tumor development in Drosophila melanogaster is aimed to further understand the molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer formation in humans. Through the silencing of the conserved genes PTEN, BRCA2, P53, NF1, and RB1 involved in tumor development we observe abnormalities in the epithelial lining of the ovaries and variable phenotype severity.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Restricted to Georgia Southern)
Start Date
4-20-2022 11:00 AM
End Date
4-20-2022 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Ramos, Belen A. and Jia, Dongyu, "Creating a Humanized Tumor Model in Drosophila melanogaster" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 67.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/67
Creating a Humanized Tumor Model in Drosophila melanogaster
Session 1 (Room 1300)
Drosophila melanogaster (common fruit fly), and humans share many genetic similarities such as the main genes related to ovarian cancer in humans: PTEN, BRCA2, P53, NF1, and RB1. These are present in the form of homologous genes with important roles in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and cell polarity. Previous research indicates that loss of function of these genes results in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC). After silencing different combinations of those target genes using the GAL4/UAS GAL80ts in our lab, epithelial deformation was observed within Drosophila ovaries, successfully creating a tumor model. We achieved a stronger tumor-like phenotype by effective silencing of the genes through prolonging silencing time and increasing working temperature. My objective is to use DAPI and immunohistochemistry as markers to determine morphological and polarity changes in ovarian follicle cells and quantify abnormalities in samples where the target genes were silenced. In addition, we applied the RNA-seq technique to detect any changes at the expression level of genes associated with the 5 gene alterations.
