Title: Function of CG11180/Chigno in Adult and Developing Drosophila Ovaries
Department: Biology
Description: Stem cells are critical for continuous maintenance of functional organs. Reproductive tissues in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are a key model for elucidating mechanisms controlling stem cell behavior. The Wawersik lab has identified the novel gene, CG11180/Chigno, as a regulator of stem cell function in Drosophila testes. Inhibition of CG11180/Chigno in developing and adult ovaries also causes female infertility. This project will, therefore, explore how CG11180/Chigno functions in developing ovaries. Specifically, a thorough examination of which ovarian cell types produce CG11180/Chingo will be performed, followed by analyses assessing the impact of CG11180/Chigno inhibition or over-expression in specific ovarian cells. These studies will provide a deeper understanding of CG11180/Chigno function in different environments and developmental stages. It will also expand our knowledge of CG11180/Chigno's mammalian homolog, PINX1, which has been linked to ovarian carcinoma. Thus, this work has wide-ranging implications for stem cell regulation, infertility, and cancer.
Hometown: Nanjing, China
Advisor: Matthew Wawersik
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