Removal of miR-138 from Neurons (Image 6)

The images show the cytoskeleton of primary mouse cortical neurons with or without miR-138 genetically removed from their genome. I am studying the role of miRNAs, small regulatory RNAs that control expression of messenger RNAs, in different subcellular regions of neurons. I found that one particular miRNA, when removed from the genome with CRISPR, affects the ability for these neurons to extend neurites. I took these images to help me learn what differences may exist in the underlying cytoskeleton of neurons lacking this miRNA versus wildtype neurons.