Wu, Carolyn
Carolyn is in the Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology Graduate Program, and joined the CMB Training Program in 2022.
Mentor: Dr. Margot Quinlan
The actin cytoskeleton is essential for the development of a viable egg. During Drosophila oogenesis, a cytoplasmic actin network called the actin mesh is required to properly transport and localize polarity determinants that establish the polarity of the oocyte and define the future patterning of the embryo. So far, we know that this mesh is built by two actin nucleators, Spire (Spir) and Cappuccino (Capu), but nothing is known about how it is properly maintained during mid-oogenesis and removed by late oogenesis. Thus, the aim of my project is to understand how this mesh is regulated by identifying factors that interact with or are in close proximity to Spir and Capu and ultimately determine the role these factors play. These results will allow deeper insight into the role of the actin cytoskeleton during oogenesis and potentially translate to mammalian systems where the same set of actin nucleators are used to build a similar actin network.
