Behavioral analysis of a transgenic Drosophila model of Tau mediated toxicity in Alzheimer's Disease

Behavioral analysis of a transgenic Drosophila model of Tau mediated toxicity in Alzheimer's Disease

Authors

    Presenter(s)

    Prajakta D. Deshpande, Liam Michael Dwyer

    Comments

    Presentation: 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Kennedy Union Ballroom

    This project reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

    Course: BIO 300

    Files

    Description

    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by a gradual loss of cognitive function and memory loss. Alzheimer’s pathology includes the extracellular accumulation of amyloid beta 42 plaques (Aβ42) and intracellular accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. In AD, Tau protein, a microtubule associated protein (MAP), gets hyperphosphorylated which results in the intracellular accumulation of NFTs due to destabilization of microtubules. We employ the Gal4/UAS system in Drosophila melanogaster to misexpress human Tau mutant (TauR406W) which mimics AD like neuropathology. It has been previously shown in our lab that misexpression of human TauR406W within the developing fly retina (GMR>TauR406W) exhibits reduced and rough eye phenotype. Here, in this study we will assess Tau mediated toxicity in a transgenic fly model by behavioral analysis. We will misexpress human TauR406W in the nervous system by using Elav-Gal4 driver. One of the behavioral assays such as a locomotion assay will increase our understanding of effects of tau mediated toxicity in AD. Here we will present the behavioral effects of AD transgenic flies.

    Publication Date

    4-20-2022

    Project Designation

    Course Project

    Primary Advisor

    Amit Singh

    Primary Advisor's Department

    Biology

    Keywords

    Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    Good Health and Well-Being

    Behavioral analysis of a transgenic Drosophila model of Tau mediated toxicity in Alzheimer's Disease

    Share

    COinS