Investigating Phosphorylation During Cytokinesis
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry (with an emphasis in Biochemistry)
Research Advisor
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell cycle, where the cell divides its cytoplasm between two daughter cells and separates to form two new cells. The mechanism that facilitates this separation is known as the actomyosin ring. Without the contraction of this ring, the yeast cell will not separate and continues to form buds. The purpose of my experiment is to investigate the effects of phosphorylation of Iqg1, an essential protein required for the actomyosin ring to function properly. Previously, it was shown that preventing phosphorylation of Iqg1 affects the timing of actomyosin ring formation and prevents contraction. I will use a mutant Iqg1 that cannot be dephosphorylated to determine the importance of this regulation on cytokinesis. After first introducing the mutant allele into yeast cells, I will then determine if yeast cells can assemble and contract actomyosin rings normally using microscopy.
Biography
Devin Wood is a Sophomore student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology and is pursuing a bachelors of science in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry. After transferring to MST in fall of 2018, he joined the Honors Academy. He also picked up a leadership position in the Scrubs Pre-Health Society. When he isn't working at school, his extracurriculars include shadowing at the Phelps Health hospital, chess club, volunteering, and playing music. He is currently working with Dr. Katie Shannon in her cytokinesis laboratory, and is planning on attending a MD/PhD program after earning his bachelors degree. He is interested in pursuing research in neurocritical care and neuromuscular disorders during his time in medical school.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Research proposal poster session, Third place
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2019, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Investigating Phosphorylation During Cytokinesis
Upper Atrium
Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell cycle, where the cell divides its cytoplasm between two daughter cells and separates to form two new cells. The mechanism that facilitates this separation is known as the actomyosin ring. Without the contraction of this ring, the yeast cell will not separate and continues to form buds. The purpose of my experiment is to investigate the effects of phosphorylation of Iqg1, an essential protein required for the actomyosin ring to function properly. Previously, it was shown that preventing phosphorylation of Iqg1 affects the timing of actomyosin ring formation and prevents contraction. I will use a mutant Iqg1 that cannot be dephosphorylated to determine the importance of this regulation on cytokinesis. After first introducing the mutant allele into yeast cells, I will then determine if yeast cells can assemble and contract actomyosin rings normally using microscopy.
