Jenna Silverman
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Swati Bhattacharyya
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Internal Medicine, Rheumatology / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 2 – 11am – 11:50am
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Jenna Silverman, Dibyendu Bhattacharyya
Presenter: 24
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by diffuse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, and we are currently investigating the damage-associated molecular patterns driving fibrosis in SSc. By furthering our understanding of how gene-environment interactions cause fibrosis, there is potential to create new human therapeutics to treat SSc (S. Bhattacharyya, 2021). The specific focus of my research project is the role of primary cilia in fibrosis. We are currently using methods such as immunofluorescence and microscopy imaging to investigate this area of concern, but preliminary results have suggested that morphology of primary cilia alters as in patient derived SSc cells. We are also investigating the role of SPAG17, a ciliary acronym protein, in preventing fibrosis, and further investigate what drives this mechanism. We collect samples of both skin fibroblasts and skin tissues from mice samples and human biopsies to study this matter, and more recently, we have added animal experiments in order to grow explanted skin fibroblasts from mice skin and lungs.
Biomedical Sciences
