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Alternative Title

A gene association model for autism spectrum disorder

Publication Date

2019

First Advisor

Michael J.F. Barresi

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Neuroscience

Keywords

Austism spectrum disorder, Meteorin, Metrn, CRISPR-Cas9 development, Zebrafish

Abstract

Modeling human diseases and disorders is a powerful tool in research. With disorders that are particularly hard to study in humans, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, model systems offer us an insight to the biological and environmental factors at play. Because so many disorders have a genetic component, newer genetic techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, offer researchers greater control over studying the influences of genetic contributions in these disorders. In this study, CRISPR-Cas9 was used to knockout the expression of an Autism Spectrum Disorder associated gene called metrn . metrn is a glial differentiation regulator and is expressed heavily in the developing central nervous system. By creating a knockout model of metrn , it was possible to study the morphological and behavioral phenotypes associated with an absence of the meteorin (Metrn) protein.

Rights

©2019 Raegan Dae Stokes. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

Comments

46 pages : color illustrations. Includes bibliographical references (pages 43-46)

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