Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Bhavi Vohra L&S Sciences

TALEN-Mediated Mutagenesis to Determine the Role of the Splicing Factor Tra2b in Xenopus Tropicalis

I will use Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALEN) -mediated mutagenesis to determine the function of the RNA-binding protein tra2b and its role in alternative splicing during Xenopus tropicalis development. TALENs or Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases, are artificial restriction enzymes that create double stranded breaks, inducing mutations in targeted loci. They can be engineered to target any DNA sequence and cause permanent changes in the genome. Alternative splicing and pre-mRNA processing is an important target for regulation of eukaryotic gene expression, which is what I am interested in studying.

Message To Sponsor

This fellowship has allowed me to pursue my passion for genetics, genomics, and development and conduct research that I find intriguing through a project of my own. I was able to focus my interests on a specific topic and dedicate my time to that one issue. Thank you!