University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Functional genomic studies of regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

Stary, Joel

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Joel_Stary.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/42239

Description

Title
Functional genomic studies of regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Author(s)
Stary, Joel
Issue Date
2013-02-03T19:28:54Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Newmark, Phillip A.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Newmark, Phillip A.
Committee Member(s)
  • Robertson, Hugh M.
  • Gillette, Rhanor
  • Henry, Jonathan
Department of Study
School of Molecular & Cell Bio
Discipline
Neuroscience
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2013-02-03T19:28:54Z
Keyword(s)
  • Regeneration
  • Planarian
  • Planarians
  • Planaria
  • Schmidtea mediterranea
  • Functional genomics
Abstract
Regenerative capabilities are seen in varying degrees throughout the phylogenetic tree. Are the genes and signaling pathways employed by regeneration found in all metazoans and recruited by mechanisms conserved in regenerative organisms, or have organisms developed ways to recruit them de novo? We brought the power of comparative genomics to bear on a portion of this broad question, and a cohort of genes was found that appeared to only be conserved in organisms capable of somatic tissue replacement as adults. Those genes were characterized in silico, then whole-mount in situ hybridizations were performed for each gene. Functional analysis using double-stranded RNA-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) was implemented to determine effects on regeneration. The hypothesis was that effectors of regeneration are only conserved in animals capable of somatic tissue regeneration as adults. No genes fitting that particular description were found in this study; however, there were complications with the investigation, and this work leaves the question unresolved.
Graduation Semester
2012-12
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/42239
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2012 Joel Stary

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