Booth Id:
CELL037
Category:
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Year:
2022
Finalist Names:
Colder, Amelia (School: City Honors School)
Abstract:
High rates of mortality are associated with low rates of stem cell regeneration in the intestine post irradiation. Low cell self-renewal is also associated with numerous terminal gastrointestinal diseases. Previous publications have demonstrated that sialylation by ST6GAL-1 protects against radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo. However, the mechanism behind this process is not fully understood, nor is the role of other intestinal niche factors. Here, I explore the effect of ST6GAL-1 on intestinal stem cell regeneration, in both basal and irradiated tissue, and the relationship between self-renewal and other sialylative proteins associated with ST6GAL-1 such as e-cadherin and beta-catenin. These new insights into stem cell regulation and fate specification could aid the development of therapies that exploit the regenerative capacity and functionality of the intestine.