The Role of Valyl-tRNA Synthetase (VARS) in Zebrafish Eye Development
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
The goal of this study is to better define the physical abnormalities seen in humans with a life-threatening mutation in the valyl-transfer-RNA synthetase (VARS) gene, through a zebrafish model. Humans with VARS mutations present with small brains (microcephaly) and eyes (microphthalmia), the same of which can be seen in zebrafish models. Through this research, I intend to determine whether microphthalmia is due to increased cell death or decreased cell proliferation, if the cell layers within the retina of the eye are affected evenly by this mutation or not, and contribute to the overall physical understanding of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Alicia Ebert
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Neuroscience
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
The Role of Valyl-tRNA Synthetase (VARS) in Zebrafish Eye Development
The goal of this study is to better define the physical abnormalities seen in humans with a life-threatening mutation in the valyl-transfer-RNA synthetase (VARS) gene, through a zebrafish model. Humans with VARS mutations present with small brains (microcephaly) and eyes (microphthalmia), the same of which can be seen in zebrafish models. Through this research, I intend to determine whether microphthalmia is due to increased cell death or decreased cell proliferation, if the cell layers within the retina of the eye are affected evenly by this mutation or not, and contribute to the overall physical understanding of this neurodevelopmental disorder.