Lipidomic studies are essential to elucidating the biochemical mechanisms underlying cellular lipid metabolism, trafficking, and homeostasis. The cellular membrane is comprised of a diverse array of lipid species which serve a variety of functions, one of which is membrane fluidity modulation. The ability of a cellular membrane to adapt swiftly to temperature changes is crucial to survival. Here I characterize the response of various Caenorhabditis genus members to heat stress while monitoring membrane composition changes. The variance in lipid species distribution and polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis pathway across three strains and species sheds light on the genetic and mechanistic differences that contribute to thermotolerance and provides insight into phylogeny and disease.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Heisler, Brianna Christine

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042618-125933

Advisor

• Olsen, Carissa Lynn

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright