RoAnna Pollock
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Dawen Cai
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Cell and Developmental Biology; Biophysics; Neuroscience Graduate Program / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 2 – 11am – 11:50am
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: RoAnna Pollock, Ye Li, Dawen Cai
Presenter: 48
Abstract
Accurately mapping neurogenesis and connectivity has been a central goal of neuroscience for decades, but creating a unique labeling system for each lineage posed a significant barrier. This project uses fluorescent proteins with novel and precise genetic controls and multispectral imaging to expand the possible labels and trace the lineages of type II neuroblasts. By visually differentiating neighboring neurons, we hope to determine which domains of the brain share a common ancestry and their neuroblast of origin. Pre-established fly lines were selectively bred to create fusion lines containing the Bitbow DNA sequence -which carries genes for five independently regulated fluorescent proteins- and type II specific genetic controllers. Membrane Bitbow was used to trace connectivity while nucleus Bitbow marked the neurons’ central location. The flies were dissected at the 3rd instar larva and adult phases, and their intact brains were mounted for imaging under a confocal microscope. Since each lineage expresses a unique combination of fluorescent proteins, we were able to identify neurons of common ancestry because they clustered together with the same color.
Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences
