Characterizing Ciliogenesis in a Stable Cell Line Expressing a Cilia Calcium Sensor
Research Mentor(s)
Nick Galati
Description
Primary non-motile cilia are evolutionarily conserved organelles that sense signals essential for mammalian development. Dysfunction in ciliary signaling is one of the most common causes of congenital birth defects that impact the brain, heart, and skeletal system. Although calcium signaling is required for proper cilia function, the mechanisms that regulate calcium signaling within cilia are poorly understood. Prior work from our lab suggests that the Golgi apparatus impacts cilia calcium signaling. However, these experiments relied on a low-efficiency technique known as transient transfection. To better study cilia calcium signaling, our lab developed a mammalian cell line that stably expresses a fluorescent calcium sensor within cilia. We are now characterizing ciliogenesis, fluorescence intensity profiles, and calcium response dynamics in order to verify the robustness of this cell line. Once this characterization is completed we will use the cell line to investigate the Golgi’s role in cilia calcium signaling.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Biology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Characterizing Ciliogenesis in a Stable Cell Line Expressing a Cilia Calcium Sensor
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Primary non-motile cilia are evolutionarily conserved organelles that sense signals essential for mammalian development. Dysfunction in ciliary signaling is one of the most common causes of congenital birth defects that impact the brain, heart, and skeletal system. Although calcium signaling is required for proper cilia function, the mechanisms that regulate calcium signaling within cilia are poorly understood. Prior work from our lab suggests that the Golgi apparatus impacts cilia calcium signaling. However, these experiments relied on a low-efficiency technique known as transient transfection. To better study cilia calcium signaling, our lab developed a mammalian cell line that stably expresses a fluorescent calcium sensor within cilia. We are now characterizing ciliogenesis, fluorescence intensity profiles, and calcium response dynamics in order to verify the robustness of this cell line. Once this characterization is completed we will use the cell line to investigate the Golgi’s role in cilia calcium signaling.