ALS-associated KIF5A mutations abolish autoinhibition resulting in a toxic gain of function

Understandingthepathogenicmechanismsof diseasemutations is critical toadvancingtreatments.ALS-associated mutations in the gene encoding the microtubulemotor KIF5A result in skipping of exon 27 (KIF5ADExon27) and the encoding of a protein with a novel 39 amino acid residue C-terminal sequence. Here, we report that expression of ALS-linked mutant KIF5A results in dysregulated motor activity, cellular mislocalization, altered axonal transport, and decreased neuronal survival. Single-molecule analysis revealed that the altered C terminus of mutant KIF5A results in a constitutively active state. Furthermore,mutant KIF5A possesses altered protein and RNA interactions and its expression results in altered gene expression/splicing. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that causative ALS mutations result in a toxic gain of function in the intracellular motor KIF5A that disrupts intracellular trafficking and neuronal homeostasis

The Role of Serotonin in the Avoidance Attenuation Response of C. elegans

C. elegans is capable of detecting and responding to various odors and pheromones, including several ascarosides- small molecules produced by C. elegans which enable intraspecies communication. Octapamine Succinyl Ascaroside #9 (osas#9) is released by starved L1 C. elegans larvae and induces an olfactory avoidance response. However, due to multisensory integration in response to osas#9 and an unknown metabolite in OP50 E. coli, the avoidance behavior is attenuated in young adults. Avoidance behavior assays and attenuation assays were performed and determined the need for the MOD-1 serotonin gated chloride channel and implicated the possible partial involvement of the serotonin uptake transporter MOD-5 and the neuropeptide receptor NPR-1 in attenuation of the osas#9 avoidance pathway

Advancement of WPI’s Sustainability Engagement and Education

The purpose of this project was to identify and develop a solution that will address the lack of engagement in sustainability at WPI. Our research included assessing sustainability engagement initiatives at other universities, reading academic journals regarding student engagement, interviewing individuals from WPI and other universities, and conducting student surveys. We analyzed this information and determined that implementing more service-learning at WPI is the most impactful method of encouraging student engagement and changing the mindset of sustainability