Fatal Familial Insomnia is a rare genetic disorder affecting about 27 families worldwide, caused by mutations in the prion protein gene PRNP. Symptoms include loss of sleep and disrupted circadian rhythms. The function of PNRP in circadian rhythms is not well understood. The goal of this project was to create a cellular PRNP gene knockout and test the effects on circadian proteins using novel circadian luciferase reporter assays. The results indicate that one CRISPR-treated WI-38 cell line contains a disrupted coding region for PRNP, so this cell line can be used in future experiments to observe potential alterations in the expression of several cellular circadian rhythm proteins in the absence of PRNP.

• 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

• Vlasac, Irma Marisela

Contributors

• Saxena, Richa

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042714-131053

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2014

Sponsor

• Richa Saxena
• Massachusetts General Hospital

Date created

• 2014-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright