Selected Research Grants for Graduate Students
Investigating how Kismet Affects Plasticity through BMP Signaling, Cell Adhesion Molecules, and Endocytosis
Rachel Smith, MS Biological Sciences
Autism spectrum disorder and CHARGE syndrome are both neurodevelopmental disorders in which proteins CHD7 (CHARGE) and CHD8 (ASD) are mutated, causing their function in altering gene expression to change. When protein levels aren’t altered as intended due to this mutation, neuronal communication changes, causing the two disorders. Working with Faith Liebl, PhD, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Rachel Smith investigated synaptic function in relation to autism and CHARGE syndrome for her master’s thesis by studying protein localization within fruit flies, which allowed her to see proteins flagged by fluorescent molecules. By studying the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) homolog of CHD7, CHD8 and CHD9 called Kismet (Kis), she was able to use the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model synapse to investigate how Kis could be altering neuronal signaling. She was able to utilize immunohistochemistry to investigate different proteins in these pathways to see if Kis mutants had alterations in protein level or localization.
“This experience taught me a lot about neuroscience and cell signaling, and also showed me how to be self-motivated and productive even after facing obstacles,” Smith said.
Detection of Canine Bone Cancer Using Artificial Neural Networks
Naveena Gorre, MS Electrical Engineering
Although bone cancer is a common type of cancer in dogs, imaging methods and biopsies conducted for diagnosis are expensive, inconvenient, and contain large doses of radiation. Naveena Gorre’s research investigated the possibility of using thermographic images for diagnosis of bone cancer in dogs and the advantages they include, such as being noninvasive, cheaper, faster, portable, accessible, and free of radiation. Working with Scott Umbaugh, PhD, distinguished research professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Gorre utilized artificial neural networks to employ pattern recognition to classify images of dogs with and without cancer in attempts to improve the efficacy, affordability and convenience of detecting bone cancer at an earlier stage.
