The role of microRNAs in Neural Crest Development (WHEELER_U17DTP2)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs around 22 nucleotides long. They affect gene expression either by blocking translation of genes into protein or by causing the degradation of the mRNAs that they bind to. They are involved in controlling various mechanisms during development by affecting gene expression at the post transcriptional level. Neural Crest cells (NC) contribute to the formation of many organs in the body such as the peripheral nervous system, the cartilage of the face and pigment cells. They are therefore of importance for normal development and errors in their development are the cause of many birth defects. Additionally, NC cell types are also implicated in cancer. We have preliminarily identified two miRNAs in Xenopus laevis (African Clawed Frog) that play a role in NC development. In the proposed project the student will use bioinformatic and molecular methods including techniques such as Ago-CLIP to identify the target mRNAs that these miRNAs bind to. These targets will be validated using loss of function experiments in Xenopus to determine their function in NC development.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Grant Wheeler (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Alice Godden (Student) |
Publications
Godden AM
(2022)
An efficient miRNA knockout approach using CRISPR-Cas9 in Xenopus.
in Developmental biology
Mok G
(2021)
Characterising open chromatin in chick embryos identifies cis-regulatory elements important for paraxial mesoderm formation and axis extension
in Nature Communications
Mok GF
(2021)
Characterising open chromatin in chick embryos identifies cis-regulatory elements important for paraxial mesoderm formation and axis extension.
in Nature communications
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1916141 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 | Alice Godden |
| Description | BSCB Company of Biologists Honor Fell Travel Fellowship |
| Amount | £400 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Cell Biology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 08/2020 |
| Description | BSDB CoB Travel Fellowship |
| Amount | £600 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Developmental Biology |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | BSDB Conference Grant |
| Amount | £445 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Developmental Biology |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 04/2020 |
| Description | Genetics Society Junior Scientist travel grant |
| Amount | £150 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Genetics Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | Honor Fell Travel Fellowship |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Company of Biologists |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | Junior Scientist Conference Grant |
| Amount | £750 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Genetics Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | Training Grant |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Developmental Biology |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 04/2018 |
| Description | Portsmouth University- European Xenopus Resource Centre |
| Organisation | University of Portsmouth |
| Department | European Xenopus Resource Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I have visited the university for short stays to conduct the laboratory work with the EXRC to make a line of X.tropicalis for our work. I have put together resources and held skype meetings. I have designed guide RNAs and prepared reagents and lab materials. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The team at the European Xenopus Resource Centre helped in my training of my PhD. They have helped train me in skills including using CRISPR/Cas9. This has involved some time spent in their lab group. They have also helped us to make a line of X.tropicalis as a research tool to further investigate microRNAs in Xenopus neural crest development. |
| Impact | Production of a line of miR-KO X.tropicalis. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Developing Experts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Alice Godden worked with Norwich-based company Developing Experts to curate and develop scientific videos for schools. The topics covered areas of our lab's research but also broader topics. Topics covered include: - Stem cells - Neural Crest - Cancer - Xenopus as a model system - Embryo development |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | Norwich Science Festival 2019- Opening Up |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In October 2019 I was invited to be a panellist in an event called "Opening up", as part of Norwich Science festival 2019. I was representing Xenopus as a model system, talking openly about how we use frogs in our lab, how they are treated and what measures we take to adhere to the law, the home office requirements and the 3 R's. This led to a debate with Mouse researchers and Zebrafish researchers and the general public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/events/opening-up/ |
| Description | Pint of Science 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In May 2019 I participated in the Pint of Science festival in the Lamb inn , in Norwich. I talked about microRNAs, "The Magic of microRNAs: How They Made You". This reached a general public audience, this led to one researcher taking up working with Xenopus as a model system here at UEA! I gave a 30 minute talk covering microRNAs, Xenopus, my research and finished up with how I will use CRISPR in my work, ready to hand over to Prof. Nessa Carey to talk about bioethics of genetic engineering and CRISPR. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/a-blind-date-with-genome-has-this-gone-too-far |
| Description | Wonk! Magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was contacted by Wonk! Magazine on twitter and produced an article about Xenopus in research. This involved portraying Xenopus as a model system and key work like the Nobel prize winning experiments by Sir John Gurdon. Wonk! is a teen-girl science magazine, with the aim of keeping brains in fashion. This article made cover and included lots of frog-related art and graphics to accompany it. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.wonkmagazine.co.uk/ |
| Description | Wonk! Magazine Youtube |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I wrote an article for Wonk! magazine covering how microRNAs work in a fun way. I likened it to a romantic trip on the London underground. This led to the production of an accompanying animated youtube video. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.wonkmagazine.co.uk/microrna |