Faustine Luo
Understanding the Wnt Signaling Pathway through ALM Polarity
The Wnt signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signal transduction pathway that regulates important developmental processes such as cell fate, cell migration, cell polarity, and cell proliferation when activated by secreted Wnt glycoproteins. Mutations in Wnt signaling or Wnt genes have been shown to lead to specific developmental defects, including many human diseases such as cancer. Using C. elegans as a model organism, we strive to more deeply understand how Wnt signaling shapes development in more complex organisms. My research project focuses on the Wnt pathway that establishes the polarity of ALMs, mechanosensory neurons sensing light touch in C. elegans. In particular, we will examine the interaction between CAM-1 and proteins VAB-8 and SRC-1 in hopes of understanding the mechanism of how Wnt signaling orients ALM polarity.
Message to Sponsor

- Major: Molecular & Cell Biology
- Mentor: Gian Garriga