Effect of Phosphorylation on Dbf2 in Cytokinesis
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biochemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Cytokinesis is the physical process of cell division, which divides the cytoplasm between the two new daughter cells. One important pathway that regulates Cytokinesis is called the Mitotic Exit Network, or MEN for short. The MEN is signaling pathway that allow a dividing cell to complete cytokinesis and exit mitosis. Of the many proteins involved in the MEN, the particular protein being researched is a kinase called Dbf2. Of interest is the regulation of Dbf2 by phosphorylation. Mutant alleles of the dbf2 gene that prevent phosphorylation or dephosphorylation have been created on a plasmid. The plasmid is duplicated and purified from bacterial cells, then inserted in yeast cells, the model organism used for study of cytokinesis. After growth of the yeast colonies, the cells with Dbf2 mutations can be observed during mitosis through use of fluorescence microscopy to determine the effects of the mutations on cytokinesis.
Biography
Alexander Ayres is currently a junior in the Chemical Engineering Department, receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering with an emphasis in Biochemical Engineering. He is also striving for a minor in Biological Sciences. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he hopes to receive a Doctorates in pathogenic microbiology. In his spare time, he enjoys camping and climbing outdoors, and as such, holds a leadership position in the Missouri S&T Climbing club.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2016, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Effect of Phosphorylation on Dbf2 in Cytokinesis
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Cytokinesis is the physical process of cell division, which divides the cytoplasm between the two new daughter cells. One important pathway that regulates Cytokinesis is called the Mitotic Exit Network, or MEN for short. The MEN is signaling pathway that allow a dividing cell to complete cytokinesis and exit mitosis. Of the many proteins involved in the MEN, the particular protein being researched is a kinase called Dbf2. Of interest is the regulation of Dbf2 by phosphorylation. Mutant alleles of the dbf2 gene that prevent phosphorylation or dephosphorylation have been created on a plasmid. The plasmid is duplicated and purified from bacterial cells, then inserted in yeast cells, the model organism used for study of cytokinesis. After growth of the yeast colonies, the cells with Dbf2 mutations can be observed during mitosis through use of fluorescence microscopy to determine the effects of the mutations on cytokinesis.
