SRIG 25-06: Evaluating the role of skn-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans oxidative stress recovery

What was the issue being addressed?

nhr49 is a gene found in the model organism C. elegans, commonly used in genetic studies to inform researchers of human biology. In humans, as well as C. elegans, the sequence of this gene is well implicated in various stress adaptations, and survival after exposure to the oxidative chemical tBOOH. Recovery assays are used to study the effects of lots of different stresses like heat, bacterial infection, starvation, and even low oxygen; nhr49 has not yet been described to play a role in adaptation to damage from oxidative stress. The purpose of my project, was to find out whether nhr49 in worms is required for recovery from oxidative damage like it is for survival. 

Provide a brief, lay description of the work undertaken/initiative.

C. elegans worms are a model organism used to study the function of a variety of disease genes, 60% of which have a similar function in humans! Using these tiny microscopic worms instead of humans allows us to conduct more intensive studies, without potentially hurting real people. Because they have been studied for so long, lots of information is already available, and research with implications for cancer studies are easy to conduct! Recovery experiments have long been used to study infection, low oxygen, starvation, and temperature shocks, but never oxidative damage, a type of stress all organisms experience. Our cells are constantly fighting against UV radiation and chemical exposure, and it is important that the mechanisms we have in place to deal with this oxidative damage are working properly. My research aims to describe exactly how a gene nhr49 found in C. elegans worms plays a role in recovering from oxidative damage, and what can happen when it is not functioning properly.

What is the expected impact this project will have on the community?

Dr. Kelsie Doering gave me an opportunity to interact with external C. elegans labs, where we all shared new findings and concerns/help with each other in order to improve experimental design and understanding of findings. Conducting this research has allowed me to personally contribute to this pool of general knowledge, specifically within the Metro Van C. elegans research community! Overall, this research has implications in cancer research, as the model organism C. elegans is a very dependable model to cheaply and quickly study human genetic pathway disorders; the gene of primary concern of my project for example, is functionally required for stress resilience, a key factor in tumor cell proliferation. Within KPU, I was able to present my research (proposal) at the May 2025 research showcase, giving students and faculty alike a glimpse into the world of human genetics, and insight into how this research can influence understanding of human medical treatments and medication.