Laura J
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Expertise
Molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, developmental biology, computational biology
Bio
I started my scientific career at the University of Wisconsin - Madison studying Genetics and Applied Mathematics in Genetics. I continued by getting my PhD in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology & Genetics at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. I currently study the muscular component of a eye movement disorder called Nystagmus. For this research I use a mouse model with a gene called MyoD knocked out which produces the nystagmus phenotype. In my free time I knit, crochet, take pottery classes, hike state parks, spend time with my cats, and explore all the amazing things Minnesota has to offer.Project ideas
Theoretical Gene Therapy in the World Today
Let's explore the uses that gene therapy has for humans in the world today. We will pick a disease associated with certain genes and look into specific tissue or organ types that might be affected or causing the disease. What tools can be used to alleviate the problems causing the disease? An example disease, gene, and tissue type could be: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, dystrophin, and muscle tissue. We will be utilizing my background in molecular, cellular, developmental biology & genetics to make a well rounded plan on how to use gene therapies for a disease of your choosing. We can further share this plan to the world using a scientific research paper, a blog post, or a poster presentation, all of which I have experience creating.