University of New Hampshire
McNair Scholar, 2021
Major: Medical Microbiology
Mentor: Dr. David Plachetzki, Dept. of Molecular, Cellular & Biomedical Sciences
Research Title: Phototransduction, Evolution, and Sensory Capabilities of Cnidaria
Abstract:
Hydrozoans are organisms classified under the phylum Cnidaria. Historically, they have been known for their regenerative properties. In recent times research has shifted and they are being used to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of neural circuits. Hydra may serve as a good model organism in comparative studies for understanding the complex neural circuits of humans and other vertebrate animals. This is because cnidarians are the sister group to bilaterians in the phylogenetic tree and have one of the oldest nervous systems. In addition, the phototransduction cascade of invertebrates has not been studied as extensively as that of vertebrate organisms. It has been shown that opsin, and adenylate cyclase may play a role in the phototransduction cascade in Hydra. Analysis of the cnidocytes (stinging cells) of cnidaria, using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) can show the presence of opsin, adenylate cyclase and certain sensory proteins in these cells. This study targets the proteins opsin, adenylate cyclase, touch receptors such as piezo, taste receptors and phosphodiesterase, in order to seeif the sensory cells are housing each of these proteins. The colocalization of these proteins may signify a polymodal neuron in Hydra. With further research, evidence can be shown to support that the evolution of senses may have come from a singular polymodal neuron.
