ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6860-0015

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Biology

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Wan S Yang

Second Advisor

Yong Yu

Third Advisor

Yan Zhu

Abstract

Cell death is a biological process that is essential in proper cellular homeostasis, development, and function. Malfunction of this system can lead to different diseases and cancers. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death that occurs as a result of the accumulation of lipid peroxides, that are dependent on intracellular levels of iron. Iron is essential to multiple metabolic processes in the cell, including the catalyzation of lipid peroxides. Thus, intracellular iron levels must be tightly regulated. Our goal is to create a cellular model to study and detect changes in intracellular iron levels. Through the use of a genetically encoded fluorescent iron sensor, we have generated a stable cell line that provides fluorescent readout on intracellular iron levels. This model can be used to screen for genes, small molecules, and drugs that affect and regulate intracellular iron levels. These findings can then be used to discover new regulators of ferroptosis, data that could be essential to the treatment of ferroptosis-linked diseases.

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS