I participated in STAR in 2019.
Title: Investigating the effects of 1700 FDA-approved drugs on proneural protein knockdown in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract: Basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) proneural proteins comprise a superfamily of transcription factors that are critical to early development. This superfamily includes the Daughterless (Da) gene in Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, and the homologous TCF4 gene in mammals. These genes have many essential functions in sex determination, cell proliferation, muscle development, and neurogenesis. In addition to these roles in development, our laboratory has shown that both Da and TCF4 function in mature, differentiated neurons, where they restrict neurite branching and synapse number. Knockdown of Da thus results in decreased motor function, a readout of proper glutamatergic neurotransmission. These results are important because mutations in TCF4 have been associated with the neurodevelopmental diseases PittHopkins syndrome and schizophrenia. The purpose of this research is to screen 1700 FDA approved drugs in our Da knockdown model with the hope of using this information to better determine future therapy for individuals with Pitt-Hopkins and schizophrenia
Title: Investigating the effects of 1700 FDA-approved drugs on proneural protein knockdown in Drosophila melanogaster
Abstract: Basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) proneural proteins comprise a superfamily of transcription factors that are critical to early development. This superfamily includes the Daughterless (Da) gene in Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, and the homologous TCF4 gene in mammals. These genes have many essential functions in sex determination, cell proliferation, muscle development, and neurogenesis. In addition to these roles in development, our laboratory has shown that both Da and TCF4 function in mature, differentiated neurons, where they restrict neurite branching and synapse number. Knockdown of Da thus results in decreased motor function, a readout of proper glutamatergic neurotransmission. These results are important because mutations in TCF4 have been associated with the neurodevelopmental diseases PittHopkins syndrome and schizophrenia. The purpose of this research is to screen 1700 FDA approved drugs in our Da knockdown model with the hope of using this information to better determine future therapy for individuals with Pitt-Hopkins and schizophrenia