Project description

In the Bosch lab, we study inter-organ communication via proteins in blood circulation (e.g. hormones). We are interested in answering long-standing questions such as: Where do circulating proteins come from (i.e. cell types), where do they target, and which mediate inter-organ communication? Our goal is to broadly interlink organ systems by discovering and studying novel circulating inter-organ factors, which has the potential to find therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

We use a combination of experimental and computational tools, including protein proximity labeling (e.g. TurboID) to map the origins and destinations of blood proteins, mass spectrometry of blood plasma, in-silico protein complex prediction (e.g. AlphaFold), and genome engineering tools (e.g. CRISPR) to visualize and perturb candidate inter-organ factors. For in-vivo experiments, we use Drosophila, a model animal with human-like organ systems and precise tissue-specific genetic tools.

Current projects in the lab involve characterizing candidate inter-organ factors, including some that control body size and others that target the brain. We are also developing novel experimental and computational tools to overcome technical barriers related to discovering and studying inter-organ factors, and beyond. Finally, we are investigating human missense variants in hormones and their receptors, such as predicting those that are pathogenic.

This post is a general announcement of undergraduate research opportunities in the Bosch lab as opposed to a specific project. We are willing to mentor students and help them find projects and techniques that they are most excited about. Undergraduates would be paired with existing lab members for support.

Keywords: Drosophila, Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, hormones, neuropeptide, Artificial intelligence, AlphaFold, machine learning, proximity labeling.