Home Department: Biology
Mentor: Monther Abu-Remaileh (Chemical Engineering and Genetics)

"Discovery of Novel Modulators of CLN3 for Biological and Therapeutic Investigation"

Juvenile batten disease (JNCL) is a rare neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in CLN3. JNCL patients exhibit metabolic abnormalities, including the depletion of the lipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP) which is an important stimulator of lysosomal lipid metabolism. Devyn’s project investigates the role of CLN3 in maintaining lysosomal BMP levels and questions whether the loss of CLN3 loss disrupts expression of lipid recycling proteins. She will profile lysosomal lipids and lipid metabolism proteins utilizing mass spectrometry and biochemical assays in CLN3 knockout cells. Devyn aims to understand CLN3’s contribution to lysosomal lipid metabolism and Batten disease pathogenesis.