Fall Research Expo 2021

Immunohistochemical Characterization of the Human Olfactory System

This project explores the connection between the olfactory system and neurodegeneration by examining on a microscopic level the similarities and differences between olfactory neuron receptors in healthy olfactory tissue, and olfactory tissue from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s cadavers.  Specifically, we analyzed the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulbs from both healthy and neurodegenerative tissue by using immunohistochemistry to identify targeted olfactory receptor neurons. Because anosmia is one of the earliest symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, the longterm goal of our research project is to use this comparison of healthy and neurodegenerative olfactory tissue to provide an innovative way of understanding neurodegeneration and how to mitigate its symptoms and progression.

PRESENTED BY
PURM - Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program
College of Arts & Sciences 2023
CO-PRESENTERS
Elizabeth S McKeown
Elizabeth S McKeown - College of Arts & Sciences 2024
Sylvia  A Mihailescu
Sylvia A Mihailescu - Engineering & Applied Sciences 2024
Advised By
Dr. Jay Gottfried
Arthur H. Rubenstein University Professor
PRESENTED BY
PURM - Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program
College of Arts & Sciences 2023
CO-PRESENTERS
Elizabeth S McKeown
Elizabeth S McKeown - College of Arts & Sciences 2024
Sylvia  A Mihailescu
Sylvia A Mihailescu - Engineering & Applied Sciences 2024
Advised By
Dr. Jay Gottfried
Arthur H. Rubenstein University Professor

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