Brittany G. Email and Phone Number

Investigated the innate immune response to bacterial infection by using Streptococcus pneumoniae as a model for pathogenesis. Utilized a zebrafish model to understand the dynamics of neutrophils during infection.

Investigating the sub-cellular localization of VANGL2, a planar cell polarity protein that sends long range signals to govern cellular organization along the tissue plane. The gene that encodes this protein is of one the genes that evolve to have more copies in the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes – basal and Her2+. Our analyses takes a closer look at the expression patterns of VANGL2 in a Her2+ breast cancer line, HCC1569, with the aim to understand how VANGL2 signals cytosolically. Mentors:Lindsay Hinck, Ph.D.Stefany Rubio, Ph.D. Candidate

Managed collection of samples for future experiments and maintained records of laboratory animals. Assisted in genotyping which consisted of DNA purification, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, imaging and data organization. Facilitated organization and maintenance of general lab colony, animal handling and husbandry, including weaning, tagging as well as maintaining planned breeding cages.