Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
Most tumors contain multiple karyotypes due to genomic instability gained through chromosomal segregational defects. The variability of genomic changes within a population makes it difficult to study specific processes without the existence of confounding mutations. My project is to create a model system for observation of mitotic defects, specifically multipolar spindles, in a normal cell line, where the genome is intact. Induction of centrosome amplification is required for formation of multipolar spindles. Treatments with colcemid showed a 10% increase in abnormal centrosome numbers over control. However, treatment with hydroxyurea and transfection of hMPSl showed little increase. Extra centrosomes are insufficient to drive multipolarity, therefore, I am using siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nek2 or HSET to decluster the extra centrosomes. Successful declustering will preferably show an increase in multipolar frequency, allowing us to study the formation and resolution of these structres to better understand how they contribute to aneuploidy and tumor progression.
Recommended Citation
Luffman, Christina., "Manipulation of normal cells to produce a cancer-like mitotic phenotype" (2009). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 121.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/121
Extent
vii, 25 p. : ill. (some col.)
Identifier
781448468
Comments
by Christina Luffman.