Heme and Ferritin as Initiators of Ferroptosis in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Friedreich’s Ataxia

Blood brain barrier "leakiness" in the genetic disorder, Friedreich's Ataxia.

Examination of cellular pathology in models of the neurodegenerative genetic disorder, Friedreich's Ataxia. 

Project is Not Currently Available

This project has reached full capacity for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.

Project description

Heme and ferritin iron can be a trigger of neuronal cytotoxicity. Both heme and ferritin can be taken into the brain by the cells of blood-brain barrier. This project studies the mechanism by which these cells take up and transport these iron sources into the brain. This research project involves the culturing of different human cells in a model of the blood-brain barrier. Techniques that will be learned include varies types of bright-field and fluorescence microscopy; various assays of cell function and viability; quantification of mRNA species by real-time PCR; wide range of statistical analyses. A specific focus of these experiments is on iron pathology in a cell-model of the neurodegenerative genetic disorder, Friedreich's Ataxia using cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells, iPSCs. The student will be working under the direction of a senior doctoral student. 

Project outcome

The student working on this project will obtain experimental data that will be presented in a poster at the following annual UB events: Biochemistry Research Day and Neuroscience Research Day. In both cases, students have the opportunity to discuss their work with other faculty and student trainees, and are eligible to be considered for "Best Poster Awards" at both events. Students will present their work at the research Group Meeting that is held every other week. To prepare for both presentation venues, the student will be trained in data organization and presentation modalities and provided with the software to complete this part of their training. Any data that the student generates that is included in a published manuscript will result in the student being named as a contributing author to that manuscript. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment  Long at least 12 months; preferably 18
Start time Eligible students (see below) typically will start the project in the Spring semester, continuing over the summer and the following academic year. 
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-Person Project 
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students) 
Benefits Academic credit
Stipend
Who is eligible Juniors & Seniors who have taken or enrolled in BCH403 or equivalent (BIO305) 

Core partners

  • Doctoral Student, Frances Smith, B.S., M.S. 

Project mentor

Daniel Kosman

SUNY Distinguished Professor

Biochemistry

Phone: (716) 983-5395

Email: camkos@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

Reading the attached papers and meeting with the Sponsor and Direct Mentor for review of competence in the included material. This will involve a minimum of 2 meetings, one each to discuss the two papers below. Additional meetings may be scheduled to address and rectify weakness in understanding of a key aspect of either paper. 

Keywords

Biochemistry, JSMBS, Neuroscience, Cell biology