Title

Using Axolotl Tail Regeneration to Analyze Age Effects in Homeostasis and Microglial Characteristics

Author

Jamie Casseus, Ursinus College

Submission Date

7-21-2017

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Biology

Faculty Mentor

Ellen Dawley

Student Contributor

Melanie Lee

Comments

Presented during the 19th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 21, 2017 at Ursinus College.

Supported by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) grant.

Project Description

Axolotls, as amphibians, have the ability to regenerate lost tissue. With this knowledge, we are going to be amputating a piece of the tail from axolotls to observe the microglial cells within each sample. Microglial cells aid in the process that leads to regeneration by cleaning up debris (dead cells, etc.) to help the regeneration process occur. We are observing whether the microglial response is quicker within the adult axolotls or the juvenile axolotls that we work with. To determine this, under a compound microscope, we will be counting the amount of microglia in each sample as well as the number of them activated in each sample.

Recommended Citation

Casseus, Jamie, "Using Axolotl Tail Regeneration to Analyze Age Effects in Homeostasis and Microglial Characteristics" (2017). Biology Summer Fellows. 53.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/biology_sum/53