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The Function Of Ecdysone And Inhibiting Programmed Cell Death In Death Class Iii Neurons Of Drosophila Melanogaster, Nikolas Richard Likourentzos

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

The inhibition of programmed cell death is a factor believed to be responsible for the survival of cancer cells. Using Drosophila as models, factors contributing to the process of programmed cell death can be studied. Neurons die throughout Drosophila melanogaster development to allow the addition of new neurons. The groups of neurons programmed to die are Death Class I neurons, Death Class II neurons, and Death Class III neurons. Ecdysone is a hormone responsible for the timing of programmed cell death (PCD) in the Death Class neurons. Elevated levels of ecdysone are associated with the initiation of PCD of Death …