– Oxidative Stress and Cell Death in Parasites
Crithidia fasciculata, an infectious trypanosomatid that affects non-human species, resembles several human parasites, notably Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania (Yurchenko et al., 2021). Numerous insect species are parasitized by C. fasciculata, which is why C. fasciculate is widely used to test therapeutic approaches for new parasitic infections. But the mechanisms governing cell death in C. fasciculate are yet unknown. However, inhibition of the antioxidant system is one of the fundamental causes of cell death. System Xc–, an antioxidant system encoded by the gene SLCA711, has been identified as a putative target for triggering cell death pathways because when system Xc– is suppressed, GSH is unable to eliminate ROS via glutathione peroxidases, which causes lipid ROS to accumulate (Bridges et al., 2011). changes in glutathione balance and increased iron acclamation cause the formation of lipid peroxides, failure to detoxify these peroxides can lead to ferroptosis (Bertrand, 2017).
Crithidia fasciculata at 40X magnification.
To investigate ferroptosis cell death in C. fasciculata, I utilized a ferroptosis inducer and observed morphological changes (Shown on left). This involved maintaining parasitic cultures, employing fluorescence microscopy, and applying various staining techniques. This research not only fueled my passion for scientific research but also enhanced my skills as a researcher. During this research, I also had the opportunity to share my knowledge at a STEM conference hosted by the Undergraduate STEM Research Society of Georgia State University, which helped me expand my network, gain valuable feedback on my work, and foster collaborations with fellow researchers in my field.
Citations:
Bertrand, Robert L. “Iron Accumulation, Glutathione Depletion, and Lipid Peroxidation Must Occur Simultaneously during Ferroptosis and Are Mutually Amplifying Events.” Medical Hypotheses, vol. 101, 2017, pp. 69–74., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2017.02.017.
Bridges, Richard J, et al. “System XC- Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter: An Update on Molecular Pharmacology and Roles within the CNS.” British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 165, no. 1, 2011, pp. 20–34., https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01480.x.
Yurchenko, Vyacheslav, et al. “Genomics of Trypanosomatidae: Where We Stand and What Needs to Be Done?” Pathogens, vol. 10, no. 9, 2021, p. 1124., https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091124.
– The link between Olfaction and Monogamy
Another research I participated in was in the field of developmental biology. Now, developmental biologists have long been intrigued by the underlying factors that drive individuals to pursue monogamous relationships. Numerous self-reported studies have consistently highlighted the crucial role of olfactory function in forming and maintaining romantic bonds (Blomkvist et al., 2021). Motivated by this connection, my research focus was to study the difference in expression of the PAX6, the gene responsible for the development of the olfactory placode, between monogamous Convict Cichlids and polygamous Danio Rerio (zebrafish) embryos (Nomura et al., 2007). To do so, I generated PAX6 probes for in-situ hybridization by transforming PAX6 gene-containing plasmid DNA into E. coli, performing miniprep to purify the plasmid, and using T7 and SP6 restriction enzymes to create specific recognition sites.
This research not only contributed to my scientific development but also provided valuable opportunities to
enhance my communication skills by presenting at the Georgia State University research conference (GSURC), where I was honored with the prestigious Signature Experience Award. Additionally, engaging in lab meetings during this research helped me provide insightful comments and feedback to my fellow peers, which fostered a collaborative research environment.
Citations:
Blomkvist, A., Izzo, G., Vaccaro, M. G., La Vignera, S., Brunetti, A., Aversa, A., & Liuzza, M. T. (2021). The scent of monogamy: Self-reported olfactory function predicts sexual well-being and infidelity in an Italian population. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(6), 2879–2889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02109-2
Nomura, T., Haba, H., & Osumi, N. (2007). Role of a transcription factor PAX6 in the developing vertebrate olfactory system. Development, Growth & Differentiation, 49(9), 683–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-169x.2007.00965.x