Drosophila ciliated neurons survive and regenerate after axon injury

Abigail Mauger

Axon regeneration is essential to restore function in the peripheral nervous system after injury. Neurons with branched dendrites can regenerate axons from dendrites, but some neurons have cilia instead. To investigate the injury response of ciliated neurons, I severed axons of Drosophila chordotonal neurons. Chordotonal neurons regenerated neurites enriched in ER, a characteristic unique to axon regeneration, indicating some axonal character. Furthermore, regeneration required the initiator DLK, suggesting the typical axon regeneration pathway is used.

Major: 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Exhibition Category: 
Health and Life Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Melissa Rolls
Poster Number: 
16645