Characterizing the transcriptome of cardiac regeneration in a reptile: uncovering the molecular mechanisms of self-repair in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Description: Following injury, species capable of cardiac regeneration can heal without scarring and spontaneously replace damaged tissue. To date, research on the ability to regenerate the heart has primarily focused on neonatal mice and zebrafish. For most other species, less is known. Metabolic reprogramming has been shown to regulate cardiac regeneration in select species. However, it is remains unclear if the same molecular mechanisms involved are widely conserved across vertebrates. Our recent research has demonstrated that the lizard Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko, can spontaneously replace damaged cardiomyocytes. This project aims to characterize the transcriptome of heart ventricle tissue in leopard geckos following an ischemic injury. I hypothesize that there is a conserved mode of metabolic reprogramming during cardiac regeneration across all species. My objectives are to characterize: (1) the regulation of transcription of enzymes directly involved in metabolism; (2) receptors involved in regulating metabolism; and (3) non-coding RNA involved in the metabolic shift. The transcriptome of cardiac tissue will be evaluated throughout the healing process following a cryoinjury (freezing injury). Cryoinjuries will be performed near the apex of the heart, and cardiac tissue will be sampled at 3-, 14-, 30- and 100-days post injury. Whole tissue RNA sequencing will be performed on the area surrounding the wound site, known as the border zone, in the surgery samples, shams and controls (n=3). Key genes of interest will be validated using qPCR of controls. This project will give valuable insight on the mechanisms behind cardiac regeneration, and if current identified methods are conserved.
Amount: CA$27,000
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Investigator: Olivia Smith
Institution: University of Guelph
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 197646_1
OpenAlex ID: G2162220118