Paul Lafrentz
Research Mentor(s): Alnawaz Rehemtulla, Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Radiation Oncology, Michigan Medicine
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 1 (10am-10:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 7
Presenter: 1
Abstract
Our research focuses on the role of FADD in the cell cycle. FADD is known to play an important role in cell death, signaling the cell to enter apoptosis. We are proposing another role of FADD in cell cycle regulation, specifically in the transition of cells from G1 to S phase. To evaluate the role of FADD we observed the level of known factors in cell cycle regulation. Certain proteins, such as Cdt1 and Geminin are only active at specific times of the cell cycle. By adding reporters to these proteins, we were able to track what stage a specific cell was in. We used live-cell microscopical imaging to track the cells as they progressed through the cell cycle. Cells will appear as different colors based on the amount and the type of protein they are expressing. In G1, cells will appear green, in S phase they will appear red, and cells in M/G2 phase will appear orange. The results from these experiments have shown that in cells where FADD is silenced, G1 to S transition is delayed for up to 22 hours. Some cells never pass the G1 to S checkpoint and are stuck in G1 phase. These are very promising results and line up with the assumption that FADD plays a critical role in cell cycle transition. The next step in our research is to collect more data on factors that might influence and regulate FADD. Additionally, we want to examine the effectiveness of several inhibitors, developed as cancer drugs, and determine if, when FADD is blocked, they lead to better outcomes.
Authors: Paul Lafrenz, Alnawaz Rehemtulla, Sahezeel Awadia
Research Method: Laboratory Research
