Project Mentor
Dr. Blanka Rogina
Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | Indy (I’m not dead yet) encodes a plasma membrane citrate transporter predominantly expressed in fly metabolic tissues: the midgut, fat body and oenocytes. We have shown that organism-wide reduction in Indy activity extends fly health and longevity by altering energy metabolism. We are performing experiments to determine the effects of tissue-specific INDY reduction on fly health (mobility, stress resistance, metabolism) and longevity. Our preliminary data indicate that gut-specific Indy reduction in flies recapitulates many health benefits found in Indy hypomorphs including longer lifespan. Proposed experiments will address contributions of tissues-specific Indy reduction and shed light on the mechanism by which Indy reduction increase fly health and longevity non-autonomously. |
| Project Direction | Students will collect the data on metabolic changes associated with Indy reduction. These data will be able to be analyzed during the Fall semester. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | Dr. Rogina will be discussing the project with the student and a postdoctoral fellow who can teach students experimental protocols. Student will attend weekly laboratory meetings where he/she will learn about other projects in the lab. Student will also learn how to present the data and will present the data at the lab meeting at the end of the summer research project. |
| Student Qualifications | Preferred experience: – Students with previous experience in Drosophila research – Completed genetics coursework |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 24 to July 30, 2021 Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2021, Spring 2022 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 6 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP21-25. The application deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests.