Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

My research focuses on a brain condition called Rett Syndrome (RTT). This illness mostly affects girls and causes problems with how the brain grows and functions. People with RTT often have trouble with movement, speaking, and learning. The condition is caused by changes in a special protein called MeCP2. MeCP2 is very important in the brain. It helps control how other genes work by interacting with DNA. When MeCP2 doesn't work right, it can cause big problems in how brain cells develop and function. In my project, I'm looking at how changes in MeCP2 affect other important parts of brain cells. I'm especially interested in proteins called histones. Histones are like spools that DNA wraps around in cells. They help organize DNA and control which genes are active or inactive. I want to see if the amounts of these histones change when MeCP2 doesn't work right. To do this, I'm comparing mice that have changes in their MeCP2 (similar to people with RTT) to normal mice brains. I'm looking at different parts of their brains, like the cerebellum (movement) and the cortex (thinking and memory). I am using special tools to measure the amounts of histones and other important proteins. One tool I use is called Western blotting. It lets me see how much of a specific protein is in a sample. I'm also looking at how accessible it is for cells to read the DNA instructions when MeCP2 is changed. I'm using a technique called ATAC-seq to do this. It helps me see which parts of the DNA are open and ready to be read by the cell. My research could help us better understand RTT and other similar syndromes like Autism and find new ways to treat it. By studying the basic changes in brain cells, we might find new targets for medicines/other treatments. This fits with Research Manitoba's goal of improving health through science. Even though my work is very detailed and focused on small parts of cells, it could lead to big improvements in how we help people with RTT in the future.