Anatomical and gene expression resource for Macrostomum lignano

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Macrostomum lignano (Mlig) postembryonic anatomical atlas is a collaborative team effort. Dr. Matthew Voas has optimized cell dissociation, vital nuclear dye staining, and fluorescence activated cell sorting protocols required for sample preparation, and he is producing pilot 10x scRNA-Seq data sets in conjunction with Dr. Sevilay Turan and Dr. Bao Tran's team at the CCR Sequencing Facility at the NCI-Frederick Advanced Technology Research Facility. Postdoctoral Scientist Dr. Xintao Fan has determined the developmental time points, from hatchling to sexually mature adult, that are most biologically impactful for sequencing, and he determined the irradiation treatment regimen necessary for complete elimination of adult pluripotent stem cells and germ cells. University of Oregon Masters intern Laura Paez Baena has developed a scRNA-Seq analysis pipeline tailored to Mlig expression data, and she will be the lead bioinformatic analyst for the project. We anticipate collection of necessary data sets, including biological replicates for all wild type time points and irradiated animals, in fall 2022 and will proceed with analysis and validation of cell/tissue-type specific biomarkers. In tandem, Laura will work to create an interactive Shiny app that integrates digital and spatial gene expression data for differentially expressed genes defining anatomical entities captured in our analysis. We anticipate preprinting and submitting a manuscript for peer-reviewed publication on this resource by summer 2023.