Alisha Shah
Modeling Kidney Disease-Associated Regulatory DNA in Zebrafish
Although many genetic risk factors for kidney disease have been identified, most are located in regions of DNA that regulate gene activity rather than code directly for proteins. My research at the Loeb Lab focuses on these regulatory regions, known as enhancers, which control when and where genes are turned on. By using zebrafish, whose transparent bodies allow us to more easily visualize biological processes, I can test these DNA elements by attaching them to fluorescent markers that glow when active. This approach allows me to study how these regulatory elements function at different stages of life and how they may be disrupted by disease-related genetic variants. Ultimately, this research aims to improve our understanding of how genetic differences influence kidney disease development.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you for your incredible support! With your help, I was able to spend my summer working in a field I am extremely passionate about. Over the last few months, I have tremendously expanded my research knowledge and have more clarity about what I want to do after graduating next year.