To investigate the osmoregulatory role of betaine on cell-volume regulation in cellular in vitro model

nsu

How to Apply

Interested in participating in this research project? Contact the professor or graduate student listed below.

Professor

Dr. Nic Leipzig (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) | nl21@uakron.edu

Graduate Student

Dipak Pukale | dp130@zips.uakron.edu

Project Description

Here we build upon our previous biomolecular studies of post-traumatic syringomyelia and extend them to understand the molecular contributions of specific osmolyte betaine and its channel BGT-1. Our goals will be undertaken by posing the following testable scientific questions:

  1. Does betaine transport through BGT-1 channel help maintain osmoregulation in CNS specific cells?
  2. Does endogenously synthesized betaine effect osmoregulation in CNS specific cells?
  3. How does manipulation in betaine regulation effect on the cell volume maintenance?    

Employing an in vitro swelling assay, cell volume will be assessed after manipulating CHDH and BGT-1 activity in hypertonic conditions to examine the direction of the fluid transport through the cell membrane by live imaging using confocal microscopy followed by analytical quantification of betaine.

Project Dates

Fall 2019
Spring 2020

Search Terms

Biomedical, Biomolecular, For Credit, Non-Credit, Non-Funded, STEM