JARS 2026

THE EFFECT OF abc-2 ON LONGEVITY-ASSOCIATED IN C. ELEGANS.
Marsh Mellow, and Dr. Chuck Wagon, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088.

This research is aimed at understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms of aging. Our goal is to generate strains of the nematode C. elegans that can be used for 1) predicting the longevity of individual animals, and 2) genetic analysis of mutants extended life span. Previous work has shown that the abc-2 is over expressed in the long-lived def-2 mutant. The def-2 mutation reduces insulin-like signaling and doubles adult life span. To visually monitor activity of the insulin-like signaling pathway, a reporter gene encoding a jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to abc-2 regulatory sequences for expression. Since the nematode is transparent, each of its 1,000 cells can be seen in the microscope, and cells that express abc-2 can be identified by their green fluorescence. To create a useful reporter strain, it was first necessary to inject the recombinant abc-2::GFP reporter (transgene) into the nematode germ line along with another marker gene (rol-6) to identify the genetically transformed animals. Gamma irradiation was used to integrate the transgenes into a chromosome so all progeny would stably inherit them. The progeny of 400 irradiated animals were screened and 11 lines appeared to carry integrated transgenes. These are being backcrossed with the wild-type to both remove any other gamma-induced mutations, and to confirm the integration. They will then be mated with long-lived mutation to determine if GFP expression is a predictor of longevity. (Supported by NIH Grant #XXXXXX)

The Poster board is tan and is 5' high and 5' wide. Your poster may be prepared to fill this space or a lesser space (e.g., 3.5' by 3.5'). Leave space in the upper left comer of the board for your poster number. This number will be provided for you and will be found in the published proceedings of the symposium. Prepare for the top of your poster space a title board indicating the title of the poster and the authors. Identify the person presenting the poster preferably by underlining or by indicating with an asterisk. The lettering for the title board should be not less than 1" high. A copy of your abstract in large type should be part of your poster.

Bear in mind that your illustrations will be viewed from distances of 3' or more. All lettering should be at least 3/8" high, preferably in bold font. Charts, drawings, and illustrations might well be similar to those used in making slides. Block lettering can be used to add emphasis and clarity. Captions should be brief and labels few and clear. It is helpful to viewers if the sequence to be followed in studying your material is indicated by numbers, letters, or arrows.

Your poster should be self-explanatory so that you are free to supplement and discuss particular points raised by inquiry. The poster session offers a more intimate forum for informal discussion than the slide presentation, but this becomes difficult if you are obliged to devote most of your time to merely explain your poster to a succession of visitors. You may find it useful to have on hand a tablet of sketch paper and suitable drawing materials, but please do not write on the plywood poster boards.