Physiology of HSP110
HSP110 is one of the stress proteins which cells express to protect themselves from harmful environmental conditions. Although HSP110 has been characterized at the cellular and molecular level, its role at the organismal level is less clear. In collaboration with Dr. Easton, my lab is investigating its role in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. In initial experiments reducing expression of HSP110, we have observed a number of defects at the organismal level, including decreased lifespan, defective egg laying and reduced thermotolerance.
Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism for studying the genetics of behavior and a wide range of behavioral mutants have been isolated. My laboratory is focusing on characterizing two aspects of the chemotaxis response of Caenorhabditis elegans. We are interested in plasticity of the negative chemotaxis response and the role of chemotaxis in prey acquisition.
Scholarship of Teaching
Teaching and learning are