Publication Date

2016-07-29

Availability

Embargoed

Embargo Period

2017-07-29

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology (Arts and Sciences)

Date of Defense

2016-03-25

First Committee Member

William E. Browne

Second Committee Member

James D. Baker

Third Committee Member

Julia Dallman

Abstract

We have developed a primary cell culture system that can be utilized to isolate adult somatic cell types from Mnemiopsis leidyi, a lobate Ctenophore. Our primary cell cultures are derived from tissue explants and maintained in a complex undefined media, which is generated from tissue isolated from Ctenophore lobes. Approximately 24 hours after explant removal, cultures are screened for the presence of desired cell types. These primary cell cultures can be reliably maintained and visually monitored for a variety of parameters including proliferation, changes in cell morphology and/or differentiation. Exemplar cell types that are easily isolated from primary cultures include cells derived from endoderm containing large pigmented vacuoles and giant smooth muscle cells exhibiting inducible contractile properties. In parallel we have also derived 'tissue envelopes' which contain section of endodermal canal that are used to monitor targeted cell types in an in vivo context. Experiments further characterizing these primary cell cultures will facilitate the analysis of Ctenophore development from a biological perspective.

Keywords

primary cell cultures; ctenophore; giant smooth muscle cells; Mnemiopsis leidyi; cell biology

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Available for download on Saturday, July 29, 2017

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