This is Travis. I feel like I have to introduce myself because I am rarely on this thing. I just thought I would give an update on my thesis for all who are interested. I turned my thesis proposal in on Friday at 10:00 a.m. What a relief...short lived though, I still have to defend my proposal and then do the work. **Interuption** Kate just saw me typing and I had already downloaded the picture that you see to the left. She quickly said "Hey, that's the cerebellum!" I said, "Yeah, it is! Good job Kate!" Then she pointed to the back of her head "The cerebellum is right here." Proud daddy moment! **Back to the original discourse** Shortly after emailing my proposal out to my thesis committee (about 2 hours) my computer crashed. Yes folks, I wore out my computer. I've never done that before. Okay, so it was probably a virus but I like to think I out lasted my computer. Fortunately nothing was lost. So here is a synopsis of what I study if anyone asks or cares to know.I study development of the cerebellum. The title of my thesis proposal is "The Effects of Neurogenin 1 on Cell Cycle Exit and Migration of Cortical Progenitors of the Murine Cerebellum." What is so important about Neurogenin 1, you ask. Well it is a transcription factor. Transcription factors turn genes on or off. Each cell contains all genes in the human genome but not all genes are expressed at once and not all genes are expressed in every cell type. That is what makes each cell different. The interesting thing about Neurgenin 1 is that it has been implicated in schizophrenia and medulloblastoma pathogenesis. As far as its function in the cerebellum goes...that is what I am trying to figure out. My hypothesis is that neurogenin 1 controls the"destiny" of cells in the cerebellum by inducing them to leave the cell cycle (stop dividing) and start migrating (moving) toward the cortex. So the experiments that I will be doing the rest of my time at school will be geared toward showing that neurogenin 1 is controling these processes.
There you have it. If you would like to know more about how I am going to test my hypothesis you can request and I will send it via email. But you are likely not THAT interested.
9 sweet nothings:
Trav! Very impressive stuff. Katie showed me a copy of your thesis and my cerebellum nearly exploded after reading the first paragraph. It is both impressive and sad that your daughter knows more about the cerebellum than I do. Best of luck defending your hypothesis! We are excited to see you guys next month!
PS...I had to delete my first comment because after re-reading your post I noticeed that I spelled cerebellum incorrectly, which actually makes my comment about Kate knowing more about it both ironic and funny :)
PSS...apparently I can't spell "noticed' either :) Okay, I am done now.
Whiz,
I just typed the funniest joke prior to this one (didn't save though) but like dirty underwear you can't use them twice. Now get out there and make me and Mr. Francom proud.
Too late for my cerebellum,
Tara
I don't know HOW Kate new that was a cerebellum. I've taken anatomy and I don't recognize it. haha Good job to Kate! She must be seeing a lot of cerebellums/anatomy pictures in Dad's office :) Good luck with all of the rest of your work Travis!
Way to go Travis! Finishing your thesis proposal, what a step! I love that Kate knows the cerebellum. What a great father's moment. :-) Congrats again, we're really excited for you. (And excited for your family to have you home again!) I'd love to read more about your hypothesis too!
Way to use "destiny". And seriously, I'm proud. A finished thesis is no small accomplishment. Kudos.
Sterling and I laughed that a 3 1/2 year old little girl knows where the cerebellum is, but most college students probably don't. That is impressive. And so cute!
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