Abigayle Park
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Ligia Buloto Schmitd
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Cell and Developmental Biology / Medicine
Program: UROP
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors:
Abstract
Peripheral Nerves in their healthy states will contain three different types of schwann cells (SC): myelinating, non myelinating, and terminal SC. The myelinating and non myelinating schwann cells will be reprogrammed into a pro-repair state (r)SC following nerve injury. Our research investigates this process further through performing sciatic nerve crush injuries in mice, dissecting the nerve, using immunohistochemistry stains, and observing rSC, immune cells, and axonal regeneration under the microscope. We are particularly interested in the role of axonal degeneration, known as Wallerian degeneration (WD), in the process of rSC differentiation. For that, we will use mice devoid of WD (Sarm1-/- mice) and study rSC differentiation over time using microscopy. I will be personally involved in mouse breeding and genotyping, tissue processing and immunohistochemistry staining, followed by image acquisition and analysis. This topic is incredibly important because nerve regeneration in humans is rather slow or even nonexistent. This could have a devastating impact on the person’s life especially when impaired regeneration leads to paralysis. Learning how rSC are generated and maintained is a step forward improving peripheral nerve regeneration.
