Investigating the role of meiotic checkpoints during reproductive aging
Abby Dernburg, Professor
Molecular and Cell Biology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
Human reproduction is highly asymmetric given that women have much more limited reproductive health spans than men. Women experience a sharp age-dependent decline in oocyte quality, which arises largely through errors in meiosis, the specialized cell division that reduces the genome by half. We study the fundamental mechanisms of meiosis using the nematode C. elegans as a model that enables powerful genetics and cell biology investigation. Recently, by developing and deploying a new method called chemically-induced proximity in C. elegans, we have uncovered a new checkpoint mechanism that triggers oocyte apoptosis in response to errors during chromosome interactions. In C. elegans, mutations that block all apoptosis result in a severe and early decline in oocyte quality, and this effect increases with age. In this project, we aim to investigate the role of meiotic checkpoints in reproductive aging. Results from this project will expand our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie reproductive aging.
Role: Tasks the student will undertake: Classic genetics (genetic crosses and genotyping); CRISPR/Cas9-basaed genome editing in C. elegans; Evaluating oocyte quality by measuring embryonic viability; Microscopy (high resolution immunofluorescence or live cell imaging).
Learning outcomes: through this project the student will learn about the following topics – What is meiosis? What is the role of nuclear envelope during meiosis? How do cell signaling pathways (e.g. phosphorylation) provide quality control during meiosis? How to perform genetics analysis? How to carry out CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing? How to use chemically induced proximity to rewire a cellular program? How do you come up with a specific scientific hypothesis and how do you test it? Substantial contributions to conceptualization, methodology or investigation (including instrumentation, data collection or analysis) will be recognized by co-authorship, per our lab's tradition.
Qualifications: Biology 1A: General Biology (or equivalent) – required;
MCB 104: Genetics, Genomics & Cell Biology (or MCB 140: General Genetics) – desirable but not essential;
Prior lab experience – desirable but not essential.
We believe in the power of diversity and welcome motivated applicants from all background, especially those from historically underrepresented or underserved communities.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Chenshu Liu, Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Related website: https://mcb.berkeley.edu/labs/dernburg/
Related website: https://www.hhmi.org/scientists/abby-f-dernburg