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Investigating the Neurological Links Associated with Immunity using Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model Organism
Presenter: Ayah Aligabi- URA Scholar and McNair Scholar
Mentor: Jeffery Leips (Biological Sciences)
Abstract:
Neurodegeneration is often developed later in life with very few predictors that can allow us to prepare for its onset. Numerous studies have identified a connection between neurodegeneration and age-specific changes in the immune system however the details underlying this connection are not clear. Retrospective analysis of data from previous research identified nmnant as a candidate gene due to its role in neuronal protection and promotion of infection clearance on flies at older age. This experiment aims to validate the findings of the previous study and determine if nmnat plays a role in clearing bacterial infection with age. To do so, the expression of nmnat was knocked down using RNA interference (RNAi), then one- and five-week old flies were injected with an E.coli solution. Flies were given 24-hours to clear the infection, and the surviving flies were individually homogenized, and the homogenate plated. After incubation, colony count was used to assess the flie’s ability to clear the infection. Knockdown of the gene was confirmed utilizing qPCR analysis. Findings of this study could inspire future multidisciplinary research in efforts to discover new ways to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases.