RUI: Evolution of clitellate cocoons: regulation, secretion and ultrastructure

有板环节动物（例如，蚯蚓、水蛭）含有特殊的片段，包括阴蒂，其主要功能是分泌茧。有壳茧显示出非凡的物理特性，包括对极端温度、蛋白酶和有机化学物质的适应性。本项目的主要目标是在分子和细胞水平上表征蚕茧分泌物，并确定区分不同蚕茧类型的超微结构特征。核心假设是，蚕茧分泌细胞来自一个单一的前体细胞类型，分化成两个谱系;一个分泌蛋白质颗粒，产生茧膜，而另一个分泌糖基化形式的相同蛋白质，形成盖（密封茧端的胶样塞）。利用可用的DNA和抗体，将获得对茧的进化和分泌动力学的理解，这将促进它们作为生物材料的潜在应用（例如，薄的、柔性的、透明的膜;水下粘合剂;生物聚合物）。学生参与者将积极参与这项研究，在地方，州和国家研讨会上展示结果，并通过将其整合到罗格斯-卡姆登大学现有的“生物学计算机”和“电子显微镜”课程中来接触这项工作。

Clitellate annelids (e.g., earthworms, leeches) contain specialized segments comprising the clitellum, whose primary function is to secrete a cocoon. Clitellate cocoons display remarkable physical properties, including resilience to temperature extremes, proteases and organic chemicals. The primary goals of this project are to characterize cocoon secretion at molecular and cellular levels, and to determine ultrastructural features that distinguish different cocoon types. The central hypothesis is that cocoon-secreting cells are derived from a single precursor cell type that differentiates into two lineages; one secretes protein granules that generate the cocoon membrane, while the other secretes a glycosylated form of the same protein that forms opercula (glue-like plugs that seal the cocoon ends). Employing available DNA and antibodies, an understanding of the evolution and secretion dynamics of the cocoon will be gained that will facilitate their potential applications as biomaterials (e.g., thin, flexible, transparent membranes; underwater adhesives; biopolymers). Student participants will be actively engaged in this research, present results at local, state and national symposia, and gain exposure to this work through its integration into existing 'Computers in Biology' and 'Electron Microscopy' courses at Rutgers-Camden.