Eddie Lee
Class of 2029Potomac, MD
About
Projects
- "What evidence supports a functional relationship between mutations in the SLC35A3 gene and the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?" with mentor Ashley (Working project)
Project Portfolio
What evidence supports a functional relationship between mutations in the SLC35A3 gene and the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Started May 28, 2026
Abstract or project description
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that causes problems in behavior. ASD affects 78 million people globally, which accounts to 1 in 127 people in the world. People with autism receive significant gaps in detection, care, and treatment, revealing a necessity in further research. SLC35A3, more well-known as Solute Carrier Family 35 Member A3, is a human gene that codes for a protein that transports sugar into the Golgi Apparatus. A missense mutation in SLC35A3 has been linked to ASD. This study aims to focus on the potential role of SLC35A3 in ASD progression. Databases such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the UCSC Genome Browser were utilized to find a connection between SLC35A3 and ASD. Other databases such as GeneCards, Ensembl, ClinVar were used to figure out the function of SLC5A3. Future studies should try to find ways to suppress the missense mutations of SLC5A3 and its effect on ASD.