Princeton University Library Catalog
- Author/Artist:
- Jayaraman, Sahana Sai [Browse]
- Format:
- Senior thesis
- Language:
- English
- Advisor(s):
- Nelson, Celeste M. [Browse]
- Department:
- Princeton University. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering [Browse]
- Class year:
- 2016
- Description:
- 55 pages
- Summary note:
- Studies have begun to determine the impact of peripheral nerve development on epithelial
morphogenesis in branching organs, such as the salivary gland and lung. While most of
these studies have used embryonic mice as the model organism, studying this interplay in
embryonic chicken lungs is an uncharted research area. Thus, this thesis investigates the
interaction between peripheral innervation and epithelial development using embryonic
chicken lungs as a model system. First, I characterized nerve development in relation to
the epithelium, both qualitatively and quantitatively, using whole-mount fluorescent
staining. Subsequently, I used two different drugs to manipulate the acetylcholine
neurotransmitter pathway; this pathway has been previously studied in embryonic mouse
lungs and salivary glands. I performed these pharmacological manipulations through in
vitro cultured explant experiments, and in ovo microinjection experiments. Lastly, I used
RNA-sequencing to examine the differential expression of nerve-related genes between
the following stages of embryonic lung development: E5 (1-3 buds) and E6 (several buds
and extended branches). By studying the impact of peripheral innervation on epithelial
development in embryonic chicken lungs, mechanisms that can serve as prevention and
treatment targets for underdeveloped lung diseases can be identified.
