Philip, Phinu
Title: RNA-seq Analysis of Various Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Name: Phinu Philip
Home Institute: Wright State University
Programs: RISE program, REU – Cellular Bioengineering
Other contributors: Dylan Forenzo, Pooja Gupta
Abstract: Spinal cord injuries impact approximately 300,000 Americans with 18,000 new cases every year. There is still no effective treatment for this disease. Research has been performed to identify genes that are affected by the various types of spinal cord injuries, e.g, contusion and section injuries, using bulk RNA-seq analysis. However, the cell-type specific gene expression activities were lost in such data. One way to obtain cell-specific gene activities induced by various SCI types is to perform single-cell RNA-seq analysis (scRNA-seq) analysis. Due to low viability of the injured cells, scRNA-seq analysis on the injured spinal cord tissues have not been successful. In this study, we performed deconvolution analysis on bulk RNA-seq datasets obtained from contusion, mild contusion, full transection and hemisection mouse SCI models based on cell-specific gene activities obtained from scRNA-seq analysis on normal spinal cord tissues. We found that SCI injuries had a significant impact on meningeal cells. The most common genes that were expressed throughout all injuries were Ctsz, Plin2, Cybb, and CD44. With an average fold change of 217 for said genes. Some of the pathways that are impacted include hepatic fibrosis, cAMP – mediated signaling, and Rac signaling. Future work will focus on the potential of these identified genes in the development of gene therapy for SCI with knowledge of targeting meningeal cells.
Biography: Phu Philip is a Rising senior at Wright State University. Phinu is currently studying for his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering while also working on his Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in Tissue regeneration. Phinu has had research experience in the past, working with 3D printing bone implants at THE Ohio State University (GO BUCKS!!). He has also researched electrospinning material that would then be used for bone implants as well. At Wright State, Phinu is involved with Engineers Without Borders, Tau Beta Pi, as well as Compassion in Action, which strives to help the community in any way possible. Outside of the Classroom, Phinu is a volleyball coach, helping out high school students learn more about the intense sport.