Christian Ringler
Acquisition of Endothermy May Cause the Loss of Cardiac Regenerative Potential
The summer research project will help further my understanding on factors that will affect the regenerative process of cardiomyocyte cells that would be significant in regenerative heart treatment. The project will enable me to learn how to conduct mammalian cell cultures and examine an engineered mouse strain in which the chemogenetic activation of hypothalamic thermoregulatory neurons by small chemicals, potentially induces drastic reductions of body temperature and energy metabolism like the state in torpor or hibernation. In particular, I will examine whether lowering body temperature could retain cardiac regenerative potential using this mouse model. If the analysis is correct, this would indicate the first direct evidence for the causality between the increase of thermogenesis and the loss of heart regenerative capacity.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you to all the donors for providing me with the opportunity to participate in research over the summer. I am grateful for providing a stipend that aided with my expenses, such as transport, that allowed me to focus on research without worrying about needing a job to cover my expenses. The program created an environment where I felt immersed in what a research career would entail. The opportunity allowed me to acquire laboratory and research skills that I thought I would not get exposed to before senior year. The stipend enabled me to work full-time, providing sufficient time to get involved and gain substantial experience in the research area of cardiomyocyte function and the regenerative process. Having worked continuously for several weeks allowed me to integrate with my lab and have enough time to get to know the other lab members. In addition, I became familiar with the nature of researching such as troubleshooting, and the excitement of finding data that supported claims. Your support and continued belief in the URAP program has helped international students, like myself, to get involved in astounding research areas that will inspire future careers, and aid with students' involvement in fields that they are interested in.