Functional genomic studies of regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

Stary, Joel

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

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

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

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

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Joel Stary

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