The purpose of this project was to determine if the dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra degenerate by apoptosis in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Methods to identify DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, formation of apoptotic bodies and caspase-3 activation accurately detected apoptosis in an X-57 cell system. Preliminary results on brain sections of MPTP treated mice suggest that apoptosis is occurring. This research was performed in the laboratory of Dr. Neil Aronin at UMass Medical School.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Landrette, Sean F.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D280M

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright