The Role of mobile DNA elements in mammalian preimplantation embryo
Lin He, Professor
Molecular and Cell Biology
Open. Apprentices needed for the fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 21st. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31st, 4pm.
Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences capable of “moving” (transpose) within a genome. RNA transposons (retrotransposon) use RNA intermediate and a “copy and paste” mechanism to transpose. Retrotransposons, with their “copy and paste” mechanism, have accumulated and become abundant in our genome, comprising ~38% of the human and mouse genome (compared to ~1% of protein coding genes). While abundant, most of them are silenced or inactivated, leading many to believe that they are useless and labeling them as “junk DNA”. However, from conferring cancer resistance in mole rats to memory plasticity in humans, emerging studies, including ours, have shown that a small subset of transposable elements are not only active but essential.
In this project, we are interested in MERVL (murine endogenous retrovirus), a family of retrotransposons in mice. MERVL expression is generally restricted to mouse preimplantation embryos, a stage in which epigenetic reprogramming occurs, erasing all epigenetic markers and allowing silenced genes to “come back to life”. While not much is known about MERVL, MERVL is one of the highliest expressed genes during this stage, and has been shown to contribute to mouse embryonic stem cell plasticity. In our analysis, we have observed interesting localization in the mouse embryo that could help us elucidate the role of MERVL in mouse development. Our preliminary studies, as well as others, have shown that disruption of MERVL can cause a disruption of mouse embryo development.
Role: We aim to understand the mechanism and function of MERVL in mouse preimplantation embryos and development by utilizing imaging techniques, including electron microscopy and optical microscopy, along with detailed image analysis.
This project will involve the following components:
1. Electron microscopy imaging and image analysis
2. Molecular biology techniques such as cloning, PCR, and in vitro transcription
3. Cell biology techniques, including immunofluorescence and fluorescent imaging
4. Handling mice and collecting embryos.
Qualifications: We are seeking curious and highly motivated students with strong communication skills, a sense of accountability, and enjoyment in collaborative learning environments. Qualified candidates should have a passion for science and a clear plan for pursuing an academic career. Applicants should be willing to perform wet lab experiments and analyses and should commit to dedicating a minimum of 15 hours per week in the lab.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Alex Yang, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 12 or more hours
Related website: https://www.helabucb.org/
Biological & Health Sciences