Download Undergraduate student projects in the Department of Molecular

Undergraduate student projects in the Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
Summer 2016
1. Sevan HOPYAN (https://lab.research.sickkids.ca/hopyan/)
Morphogenesis of mesoderm
The Hopyan lab is interested in how embryonic structures are shaped during development. This
summer project will focus on cellular control of early branchial arch or limb bud formation in mouse
embryos. The focus will be to understand how mesenchymal cells interact in 3D to shape organ
primordia. Advanced imaging and computational analysis will be employed.
2. Xi HUANG (http://lab.research.sickkids.ca/huang/)
Investigating the function of ion channel in brain tumor
Ion channels are transmembrane proteins that regulate cellular bioelectrical properties by
controlling ion flux across membranes. Our lab uses multidisciplinary approaches, including
Drosophila and mouse genetics, cell biology and electrophysiology, to establish ion channels as novel
regulators of brain tumorigenesis. The summer student will work with a senior lab member to study
the expression and function of a novel ion channel involved in brain tumor using both cell culture and
animal models.
3. Chi-chung HUI (http://lab.research.sickkids.ca/hui/)
Gli2 target genes in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis
Abnormal activation of Hedgehog signaling in the cerebellum leads to formation of
medulloblastoma. By chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing, we have recently
identified ~800 direct target genes of Gli2, which is the major transcriptional activator of the Hedgehog
pathway, in medulloblastoma. This summer project will involve the molecular characterization of some
of these target genes in various mouse models of medulloblastoma as well as the identification of
putative transcription factors involved in the co-regulation of Gli2 target genes by computational
analysis.
4. Chi-chung HUI (http://lab.research.sickkids.ca/hui/)
Irx3 and Irx5 target genes in adipocyte differentiation
Our laboratory has recently identified Irx3 and Irx5 as major regulators of energy homeostasis
in both the hypothalamus and adipose tissue. Knockout of Irx3 or Irx5 leads to profound defects in
adipocyte differentiation. This summer project will involve the molecular characterization and
computational analysis of Irx3 and Irx5 target genes in the mouse preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells.
5. Tae-Hee KIM (http://www.sickkids.ca/AboutSickKids/Directory/People/K/tae-hee-kim.html)
The role of Hh signalling in gut development and cancer
Hh signalling is essential for gut mesenchymal cell proliferation. To better understand the
underlying mechanisms, we have established a novel mouse model, which exhibit altered Gli
1
transcription factors. These mice show severe defects in gut development. We will analyze further
these defects and investigate a potential role for Hh signalling in gastrointestinal caners.
6. Jeehye PARK (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeehye_Park3)
Identification of genetic modifiers of human Matrin 3 toxicity in fruit fly
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease causes degeneration of motor neurons in the brain
and spinal cord. We do not understand the mechanism of neuronal death. One of the genes whose
mutations cause this disease is Matrin 3. In our lab, we will study the function of Matrin 3 and how its
mutants lead to toxicity in fruit flies.
7. Michael WILSON (http://www.wilsonlab.org)
High-throughput mapping of topoisomerase-induced double stranded DNA breaks
This project will use the recently developed GUIDE-seq method to: a) map the location of
double stranded DNA breaks in cells treated with topoisomerase poisons. The project will specifically
test the hypothesis that the enzyme topoisomerase II beta influences the number and location of these
DSBs.
8. Mei ZHEN (http://www.mshri.on.ca/zhen/)
Reconstruction of the C. elegans nervous system during development
Animals continue to develop postnatally, including the nervous system. C. elegans has a small
nervous system, starting from 220 neurons at birth, reaching 302 in adulthood. Such an expansion of
the neuron number indicates a change in the neural circuit development. We welcome undergraduate
students to take part in a project where we are using electron microscopy to map the anatomic changes
of the nervous system during development. The summer project involves data analyses from a
complete set of the EM images of a juvenile larva. Students with programming skills in Python are
particularly encouraged to apply.
2