1. people
Image of Kyler

Kyler Aqueche

PhD Student
Email:
kyler@umail.ucsb.edu

Related Links

Biography

  • Medical Applications of Cell Therapeutics
  • CAR-T Cell Therapeutics
  • Sickle Cell Anemia Therapeutics

Research

My research is focused on germline stem cell migration and the factors that affect migration patterns. The organism of interest for my research is Botryllus schlosseri, which is a marine invertebrate chordate that forms colonies by asexual budding. This species has long-lived pluripotent germline stem cells (GSCs) that migrate to new niches at every asexual budding cycle. These animals also exhibit “germ cell parasitism," in which colonies fuse to form chimeras and the GSCs compete for niches, with one genotype winning, filling the niches of the other.
 

My current project looks at GSC migration in response to chemoattractants such as S-1-P (Sphingosine-1-Phosphate). This response is visualized using fluorescence microscopy after conducting transwell migration assays. From this, we can visualize GSC behavior in vitro and apply this data to other migration behaviors in response to alternative chemoattractants, inhibitors, and conditions. After understanding appropriate conditions for GSC migration, we can work toward understanding what drives GSC migration in vivo and how these factors play a role in both germ line maintenance and germ cell parasitism of B. schlosseri.