Linda Freel ’25, Sarah Deely ’25, and Kylie Fordyce ’25

Uncovering the Mystery of Squid Sunglasses
Linda Freel ’25, Chemistry major
Sarah Deely ’25, Biology major
Kylie Fordyce ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentors: Dr. Joseph DeGiorgis, Biology and Dr. Hayden Boettcher, Biology

The squid visual system is exceptional in its ability to adapt to varying light levels. In humans, contraction and expansion of the pupil allow differing levels of light to enter into the retina. The adaptation in squid is facilitated by the movement of pigment granules within photoreceptor cells in the retina. These granules, small oval-shaped organelles, travel along microtubules from the base of the cell to the tip in response to changes in light intensity acting as molecular sunglasses. Motor proteins are responsible for the movement of these granules although the specific motor proteins responsible for this movement have not yet been identified. Our research aims to identify and understand the distribution of these motor proteins and their binding sites on pigment granules.

Poster Presentation: Wednesday, April 23, 1:30 – 3 p.m.