Roper Lab

In Dr. Randall Roper’s lab, I conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to investigate gene expression dysregulation in the femurs of Ts65Dn mouse models of Down syndrome. My work revealed dysregulation in key pathways, including JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT, which govern bone metabolism and structural development. Employing tools for differential expression analysis, pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction mapping, I identified the molecular signatures underlying skeletal deficits in this model. This experience advanced my ability to analyze large datasets, integrate multi-omic data, and draw meaningful conclusions about complex biological systems. It also reinforced the power of systems biology approaches in understanding how genetic and signaling networks contribute to disease phenotypes—a perspective I am eager to explore further within systems immunology.

This project not only enhanced my computational and experimental skills but also gave me a profound appreciation for how tools like RNA-seq and network analysis can unravel intricate biological processes. It laid a critical foundation for my passion for leveraging systems-level approaches to decode the immune system's complexities.