Red blood cell enucleation
Unfortunately, this opportunity is currently unavailable. Please check back at a later date.
Summary
Prior to entering the blood stream, developing erythroid or red blood cells condense and expel their nucleus. This unusual process occurs millions of times per minute in a healthy adult, and is unique to mammals. However, our understanding of this process is very limited.
Supervisor(s)
Research Location
Camperdown - School of Medical Sciences - Bosch Institute
Program Type
Masters/PHD
Synopsis
Mammalian erythrocytes or red blood cells circulate without a nucleus. During development in the bone marrow, erythroid progenitors expand, mature and condense and expel their nucleus. This is estimated to occur 2 millions/second in a healthy adult human. The processes that regulate this event are extremely poorly defined. Interestingly, enucleation is restricted to mammals. All mammals possess enucleated red blood cells whereas erythrocytes of birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish all possess their nuclei. We are very interested in exploring the processes by which mammalian erythroid cells condense and expel their nuclei and asking why other vertebrates do not.
Additional Information
This topic is also available for Honours students.
Methodologies used in this project will include flow cytometry, cell culture and protein analysis.
Want to find out more?
Contact us to find out what’s involved in applying for a PhD.
Browse for other opportunities within the Camperdown - School of Medical Sciences - Bosch Institute .
Keywords
Erythrocyte, nucleus, enucleation
Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1165
Other opportunities with Dr Stuart Fraser