Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Pearl Zhou

Development of a genetically encoded tool for manipulation of metabolism

Diet and exercise induce changes in metabolism that are associated with longer lifespan and decreased mortality from age-associated diseases. However, the specific bioenergetic changes within cells that cause these beneficial effects are not known. Professor Titov and I have been working on developing a genetically encoded tool to manipulate metabolism (GEMM), allowing us to control a single bioenergetic parameter in living cells. I plan to test the activity of this GEMM in different compartments of the cell using various experiments.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you so much for your support! This summer experience has been invaluable for my growth as a researcher. I have improved my skills in reading, assessing, and presenting research. I have learned so much about my field, in both scientific knowledge and work environment. Thanks to your help, I can keep working toward my career in research.