UROP Proceedings 2010-11

After a month of screening, some putative mutants with extended body length were isolated.On the basis of a change of body length, the next phase is to map the gene by genetic linkageand molecular mapping procedures. We hope to confirm the exact location of the mutation onspecific chromosome and eventually elucidate its molecular identity to understand how theTGF beta pathway is being modulated.Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Human Embryonic and InducedPluripotent Stem CellsAdvisor : HUANG Pingbo / LIFSStudent : LIN Qiaojin / BIOL(UROP1100, Spring 2011)This project mainly focuses on investigating mechanosensitivity of ion channels by applyingpatch-clamp technique. Mechanosensitivity has been found in mechanosensitive ion channels,which can be stimulated by touch, hearing and balance. Scientific research suggests thesechannels play important roles in osmotic homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation.During the process, I gained lab skills in handling mammalian cells, and I had an opportunityto have a taste in doing scientific research. In the next phase, I will continue with the patchclamp experiment on T84 cells, with an aim to record steadier channel activity.Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Human Embryonic and InducedPluripotent Stem CellsAdvisor : HUANG Pingbo / LIFSStudent : LIN Qiaojin / BIOL(UROP1200, Summer 2011)This is the second semester for me to participate in this project, and I have learnt much morein research techniques. I have been mainly working with T84 cell line, which is an excellentmodel system for studying electrolyte transport processes and their regulation by peptidehormones and neurotransmitters. Another part of my project is the cloning of shRNA, whichis a small fragment of RNA that makes a tight hairpin shape, and it shows the ability tosilence gene expression applying RNA interference mechanism. I am planning to continue inthis project in the Fall semester, and I look forward to getting hands-on practice on Ussingchamber, and to further develop my molecular cloning technique.3