Investigating microtubule polarity in ddaE neuronal dendritic side branches.

Johnson Zheng

Disruptions in neuronal cargo distribution are implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. The specific organizations of microtubules are crucial for neuronal vesicular trafficking as different cargoes engage with either kinesin or dynein, which are plus-end-directed and minus-end-directed respectively. However, the polarity of microtubules in neurons are not fully understood. This project uses Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to investigate the microtubule polarity in Drosophila sensory neurons, which are architecturally similar to mammalian neurons.

Major: 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Exhibition Category: 
Health and Life Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Melissa Rolls
Poster Number: 
18