Project Description: Latisha uses C. elegans (or microscopic worms) as a model organism to study connections between muscle dysfunction and metabolic changes observed in the human disorder Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency (ASLD). To date, there are no treatments designed specifically for ASLD patients. The overarching goal of my labs work is to understand the etiology of ASLD and elucidate potential therapeutics to enhance the quality of life for those suffering with this disorder. My work hypothesizes impaired adsl-1 expression results in muscle dysfunction. I have designed behavioral assays to quantify muscle function of C. elegans under various treatments. I have also used liquid chromatography paired with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify and quantify the metabolism of C. elegans under various treatments. Our data suggests adsl-1 is expressed in multiple tissues and has tissue specific functions. More specifically, we have found adsl-1 expression in the neuron to play a role in animal size and crawling movement regulation. Students would be treating animals with various supplements (like vitamin B12) and measuring the movement of the animals.