Serotonin Synthesis via Tryptophan-Producing E. coli
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Some individuals who have had traumatic brain injury (TBI) are no longer able to produce enough serotonin (5-HT) which can affect learning, memory, emotional behavior, as well as a variety of other physiological functions. Tryptophan, which is required to produce Serotonin, is not produced in mammalian cells. My proposal uses E. coli to synthetically produce tryptophan. These genes will be cut out of E. coli and cloned into stem cells so that the mammalian cells will be capable of producing tryptophan, and subsequently 5-HT, on their own. These stem cells, which would only be used in patients who have had a TBI, will, I hypothesize, produce tryptophan which interacts with tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2) to form 5-HTP. 5-HTP will then interact with naturally occurring 5-HTP decarboxylase to synthesize the needed Serotonin. When there is enough Serotonin, it will be degraded by naturally occurring Monoamine oxidase (MAO).
Biography
Lauren is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Chemistry and Cognitive Neuroscience. Besides working on this project proposal, Lauren has recently gotten involved in iGEM, and is currently being trained to work in the lab. In addition to her work with biology, Lauren is an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha and works part-time in the Development office on campus. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering on and off campus, hiking, and painting. When she graduates in December 2015, Lauren will have a Bachelor’s of Sciences degree. She intends on getting her Master’s degree in Biochemistry and would like to continue doing research in Neurology.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Research proposal poster session, Third place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Serotonin Synthesis via Tryptophan-Producing E. coli
Upper Atrium/Hall
Some individuals who have had traumatic brain injury (TBI) are no longer able to produce enough serotonin (5-HT) which can affect learning, memory, emotional behavior, as well as a variety of other physiological functions. Tryptophan, which is required to produce Serotonin, is not produced in mammalian cells. My proposal uses E. coli to synthetically produce tryptophan. These genes will be cut out of E. coli and cloned into stem cells so that the mammalian cells will be capable of producing tryptophan, and subsequently 5-HT, on their own. These stem cells, which would only be used in patients who have had a TBI, will, I hypothesize, produce tryptophan which interacts with tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2) to form 5-HTP. 5-HTP will then interact with naturally occurring 5-HTP decarboxylase to synthesize the needed Serotonin. When there is enough Serotonin, it will be degraded by naturally occurring Monoamine oxidase (MAO).
