Abstract: Although CLOCK plays a major role as a core circadian gene, it has also been implicated in having physiological effects other than regulation of circadian cycles. CLOCK plays a role in regulation of cell migration shown by a study in which neural progenitors containing a CLOCK knockout virus migrated farther than neural progenitors containing CLOCK. This effect on migration could have an effect on development of the frontal cortex. To understand it’s developmental effects, we compared cortical layer thickness in the primary somatosensory cortex of the frontal cortex across three genotypes: humanized (HU), wild type (WT), and knockout (KO) in P7 and P0 mouse pups. In P7 pups, the cortical thickness of the frontal cortex was increased in humanized mice when compared to the wild type and was decreased in knockout mice when compared to the wild type. Layers II-IV and VI were also increased in the humanized mice and decreased in the knockout mice, while layer V was slightly decreased in humanized mice and increased in knockout mice. In P0 mice, humanized mice had the largest cortical thickness, while the different layers thicknesses seem to be similar across all three genotypes.
What Does Research Mean to You? Research allows for the discovery of the unknown, pushing humankind to solve the mysteries that have plagued us for years. Whether it be the cure to a disease, the discovery of a how a certain protein functions in the body, or the invention of a new medication, research is what allows us to move forward, one step at a time, to understanding our world and the complexities it contains. As a member of society, regardless of your academic, professional, or personal background, it is important to continuously ask these thought-provoking questions, so that scientists and other research professionals can begin searching for answer. Even if you are not the one sitting behind a bench in a lab coat, struggling to make your experiment produce the results needed, you are still playing a major role in the research process just by bringing issues and ideas to the table and collaborating with your peers to understand various components of the bigger picture.
Tell Us Your Journey I first became interested in research in high school when I participated in the UTD NanoExplorers Research Program. Through this program, I worked in a Mechanical Engineering lab in collaboration with UT Southwestern's Surgical Department to design training tools for laparoscopic tools so novice laparoscopic surgeons could adjust their hand grip and improve their surgical skills. The lab challenged me to think outside of the box while using complex design software, but overall, I became intrigued by research and hoped to learn more throughout my college career. After entering college, I joined a Psychology Lab in which I analyzed text transcripts of high school students, understanding how communication with peers, adults, teachers, and coaches affected their development. The GreenFellowship peaked my interest as it was an intensive research program that would give me a feel for the life of a Ph.D. student, and would introduce me to research at the level of an esteemed medical school, like UT Southwestern. Although the semester was hard and led to frustration and stress, it was an amazing opportunity that really confirmed for me what I wanted to pursue as a career and where my passion lay.
Advice for Future GreenFellows
The first few weeks will be extremely overwhelming as you try and understand your project, learn how to read scientific papers, and navigate the confusing buildings of North Campus, but don't let these be the reasons you give up. Go into the experience with an open mind, and try to listen and learn as much as possible, even if you have no idea what the speakers at talks are speaking about. It is okay to feel unintelligent and lost! Remember that every single person in your lab has been in your position before, even your PI. Don't let that hinder you from making the most of your experience. It takes time to get used to the research lifestyle, and just remember that you are not the only one struggling. Use the support of the other Fellows, your friends, family, lab members, and anyone else you can find, because you will need them. Also keep in mind that you do not need to push yourself and stay late/over the weekends in lab just to impress your post-doc and PI. You should push yourself because you have the passion to stay late/over the weekends. Your passion for discovery and research should be your main motivating factor throughout the process, and it will lead you to amazing results and experiences that you will forever cherish, regardless of what you choose to pursue in the future. Have fun and good luck!