Wayne Shu
Troy, MI
Grade: 12
Edgar Wang
Troy, MI
Freshman at Princeton
Justin Yuan
Troy, MI
Freshman at MIT
Neurogenesis, the birth of neurons generated from neural stem cells (NSCs), is a relatively new science with great potential for the recovery of stroke, degenerative diseases, and brain injuries. Introducing microRNA-17-92 to NSCs significantly enhances cell growth. By using a rat model of stroke, we found that members of the miR-17-92 cluster were substantially upregulated in NSCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ), a primary area of neurogenesis, after stroke. Furthermore, addition of the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) protein, a promoter of neuron growth, to NSCs noticeably increased miR-17-92 cluster levels. Ultimately, miR-17-92 promotes brain stem cell growth, essentially enhancing neurogenesis.