RUI: Analysis of Cytoplasmic Localization in the Embryos of a Polyclad Turbellarian

这个项目的目的是研究细胞质决定因素在多壳扁虫发育中所起的作用，多壳扁虫是最原始的螺旋虫之一，具有典型的四重螺旋分裂。早期确定是多壳拟螺旋藻的特征，但不像高等螺旋藻那样严格编程。博耶博士建议，通过在卵裂球中注入荧光葡聚糖，并将荧光追踪到幼虫的结构，来开发Hoppla胚胎的细胞谱系，这是分析实验数据的重要工具。她将通过使用卵裂球缺失和分离技术、切割未卵裂的卵子和改变细胞几何形状来检查特定幼虫结构的发育、对称性的确定以及决定簇定位的时间和地点。此外，还将使用扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜。细胞质定位是卵子和早期胚胎决定成体最终计划的一种基本发育机制。这个过程最容易在简单的系统中研究。这项研究将有助于我们从个体发生和系统发育的角度来理解早期发育的普遍机制之一。

The objective of this project is to examine the role that cytoplasmic determinants play in the development of polyclad flatworms, one of the most primitive of the spiralians with typical quartet spiral cleavage. Early determination is characteristic of the polyclad Hoploplana inquilina but is less rigidly programmed than that of the higher spiralians. Dr. Boyer proposes to develop a cell lineage of the hoploplana embryo, an important tool for analyzing experimental data, by injecting fluorescent dextran into blastomeres and tracing the fluorescence to larval structures. She will examine development of specific larval structures, the determination of symmetry, and the time and site of localization of determinants by using blastomere deletion and separation techniques, cutting uncleaved eggs, and altering cell geometry. In addition SEM and TEM will be employed. %%% Cytoplasmic localization is a fundamental developmental mechanism employed by eggs and early embryos in determining the ultimate body plan of the adult. This process is most easily studied in simple systems. This study will contribute to our understanding of one of the universal mechanisms of early development from both ontogenetic and phylogenetic perspectives.