The effect of environmental stress on Hydra reproduction and regeneration

Project Background: Hydra vulgaris are polyps that belong to the phylum Cnidaria which encompasses jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. Hydra have an incredible regenerative ability being able to regenerate head and foot when dissected and being able to form a full polyp from cell aggregates. Under stressful conditions, Hydra undergo gametogenesis to produce either eggs or sperm. Yet, the particular stressors that trigger gametogenesis in H. vulgars remain unknown. In our lab, we are setting up Hydra under different temperature, light environments, and diets to detect how these factors influence reproduction and regeneration.