Eric Sosa, Post 1

Hello everyone,

      My name is Eric Sosa and I am a rising senior majoring in Human Biology and Society. This summer I will be conducting research in the De Robertis Lab here at UCLA, through the CARE SEM SPUR/MARC program. The De Robertis lab is a developmental biology lab that focuses on understanding the pathways and mechanisms that give rise to gastrulation and eventually the vertebrate body plan. The De Robertis lab performs all studies on Xenopus embryos because these embryos have the remarkable ability to self-regulate after experimental manipulation. In Xenopus, a bisected half-embryo can regenerate the missing half and produce identical twins. However, the mechanism underlying this amazing self-regulation still remains elusive. The Spemann organizer is a dorsal signaling center that is critical for vertebrate body axis formation during gastrulation. Studies on the molecular nature of the Spemann organizer have revealed that cell communication between dorsal and ventral signaling centers plays an important role in self-regulation. Therefore, the identification of genes expressed in the dorsal and ventral signaling centers and the mediation of their communication is crucial for the elucidation of the mechanism of self-regulation. Under the direct guidance of Dr. De Robertis and postdoctoral fellow Yi Ding, my summer will be devoted to investigating how multiple genes are differentially expressed and integrated during the regeneration process.

My project throughout the summer is to take an RNA sequencing approach to this question and study the genes that fulfill important roles in vertebrate development. Through the use of RNA sequencing software and creating both vectors and plasmids, we will be looking for novel genes within the dorsal and ventral lip, which are the two most important centers of the stage 10 Xenopus embryo.

This summer I have attended many seminars that have been helpful in preparing me for graduate school. I have learned about the importance of understanding Imposter Syndrome and the consequences that may arise from it. I have met with numerous undergraduates who have the same passion for science as me and have enjoyed speaking with them about our research and similar experiences in the lab setting. Dr. De Robert and my postdoctoral fellow Yi Ding have both been immensely helpful in teaching and guiding me to become a better scientist. I am looking forward to my future seminars in the summer and cannot wait to get even more lost in my research. 

Another day in the De Robertis lab for this curious female Xenopus frog.

A set of happy Xenopus ​embryos patiently waiting for their injection experiment to begin.

​The same group of embryos in a farther advanced developmental stage. They have now become developed tadpoles with an interesting phenotype.