Regina
Rajbanshi
Sponsor: Fumika Hamada, Ph.D. Neuro Physio & Behavior Circadian clocks govern body temperature rhythms (BTR), which are 24-hour fluctuations in body temperature. However, the regulatory mechanisms of BTR are still unclear. Drosophila share similar mechanisms and regulatory patterns of BTR with humans and are used as a model organism. Previously, our lab observed that disrupting the molecular circadian clock profoundly affected BTR, suggesting that the molecular clock system also regulates Drosophila BTR. In this study, to determine which clock neurons play a role in BTR, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out the molecular clock system in Drosophila brains. We analyzed the body temperature of flies under constant darkness conditions and found that the disrupted clock in all clock neurons significantly altered BTR. Next, we disrupted the clocks in specific clock neurons, dorsal neurons one and two (DN2s and DN1as) and lateral ventral neurons (LNVs). We found that clock disruptions in DN2s and DN1as significantly impacted BTR, whereas disruptions in LNvs showed no significant effect. Our results indicate that DN2s and DN1as play an important role in regulating BTR while LNvs do not. These findings provide insights into the neuronal basis of BTR and may offer broader implications for how circadian clocks control thermoregulation in more complex organisms. Establishing a Blood Brain Barrier Spheroid Model for Studying Nanoplastic Trafficking
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Authors:
Regina Rajbanshi
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The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective, semipermeable barrier that regulates the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the brain, protecting neural tissue from toxins, pathogens, and fluctuations in blood composition while allowing essential nutrients and gases to pass through. The interactions between three major cell types (astrocytes, pericytes, and endothelial cells) maintain the integrity of this barrier. While studies suggest that nanoplastics may facilitate transport of pollutants across the BBB, the exact mechanisms and impact on human health remain unclear. This study establishes a BBB spheroid model as a foundation for investigating nanoparticle penetration into the brain. Initial efforts focus on forming a stable co-culture spheroid model of the BBB using primary human pericytes and endothelial cells, by establishing a multi-day assay to form and assess barrier function. These early-stage models provide insights into cellular organization and viability, representing a step toward developing a full triculture system with astrocytes. Future work will evaluate barrier integrity and the dynamics of nanoplastic penetration. Additional phases of the project will explore how nanoparticle sizing, coating, and composition influence trafficking into the brain, ultimately informing studies on nanoplastic transport and potential neurobiological impacts. Collagen Treatment to Improve Cell Adherence on a Low-Cost Microfluidics Device Abhinav Rajeshwar
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UC Davis / Biomedical Engineering / 2025
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Regina Rajbanshi