HOUSTON – The brown anole lizard thrives in the sub-tropical climate of southeast Texas.

The reptile is an “invasive” species, explained Zoe Griffin, the Pinedale High School Class of 2021 Valedictorian and a sophomore at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Migrating from its native habitat in Central American and the Caribbean, the brown anole now inhabits America’s Gulf Coast region and is also common in California.

Griffin sat outside a coffee shop in Houston during her Dec. 7 interview and counted at least five brown anoles scampering past.

“They are all over the place out here,” she said.

Griffin, a biosciences major concentrating in cell biology and genetics with a minor in ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice, is acutely aware of the brown anoles sharing the space around her.

The genetic makeup of the small lizard offers important insights into veterinary science and developmental biology.

“The brown anole is becoming a popular model organism for studying lizards,” Griffin said. “We don’t really know a lot, actually, about lizards, even though they are an important, diverse group. There are over 400 species of anoles alone and there are thousands of other lizard species.”

Griffin is conducting a study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to determine how brown anole lizards speak to each other through the genetic regulation of their skin pigmentation.

“Brown anoles have a little flap (under their throats) called a dewlap that is brightly colored orange and yellow,” Griffin explained. “By understanding how these colors develop, we can understand how brown anoles communicate, which will translate across species.”

Even though she is only an undergraduate, Griffin is already making a statement in the bioscience community.

Griffin shared her research project, titled “Genetic Regulation of Skin Color Development in the Brown Anole,” at the Southwest Regional Meeting for the Society of Developmental Biology hosted by the University of Texas at Austin on Nov. 4-6.

A panel at the symposium, including eminent professors and researchers in bioscience, awarded Griffin’s study the Best Oral Presentation by an Undergraduate.

Griffin received a $500 cash prize and a $1,000 scholarship to attend the Society for Developmental Biology’s national conference in Chicago in July.

Griffin described the opportunity to present her work at a professional, scientific conference as an “incredible” honor.

“It was the first real conference I’ve been to and it was amazing just to talk to these people who are so accomplished in science and are working on such fantastic projects,” she said. “It was really nice to not only share my work with them, but to have so much support and positive feedback.”

Opening doors

While faculty at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center supervise Griffin’s project, she formulated and developed the project independently.

“The coolest part about the study is that I’m not tagged onto somebody else’s research project,” Griffin said. “I have my own mentor and my own project.”

The chance to conduct a research study at a nationally renowned laboratory is a rare opportunity for an undergraduate.

Griffin’s mentors include Dr. Bonnie Kircher, a post-doc at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

“Dr. Kircher is absolutely fantastic,” said Griffin. “She taught me everything I know and has been such a wonderful person to work with.”

Dr. Richard Behringer, a professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, oversees the project. Dr. Behringer has contributed to articles published in influential journals like “Nature” and “Science.”

“Dr. Behringer is an excellent mentor and example of success in the field,” said Griffin.

The nitty-gritty of Griffin’s study centers on a specific gene called SCARB1 that exists in brown anole lizards. This gene affects the development of the lizard’s skin color.

The study relies on a technology called CRISPR, an acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, to isolate the gene.

CRISPR is a sophisticated form of gene editing, involving “microinjection surgeries” that allow researchers to “induce” mutations in the lizard’s skin color, Griffin explained.

Female brown anole lizards are anesthetized and injected with CRISPR guides in the laboratory, Griffin added.

“The CRISPR guides cut the genome of the babies that the female will produce in the particular place we want it to,” she said. “That way, that gene is inactive in the baby and it will change how they look and affect their skin color development.”

Griffin is now waiting for the female brown anoles to give birth and for the babies to mature – a seven-month process.

“We will hopefully get some crazy-colored babies,” Griffin said.

Griffin’s passion for animals, even scaly ones, inspired her to “jump” at the opportunity to study lizards.

“I’ve always loved reptiles,” she said. “I have a pet chameleon and a pet leopard gecko. I have a big interest in genetics and animals, so this project worked out very nicely.”

Brown anoles perform an intricate mating ritual where skin pigmentation plays a crucial role.

“They do little pushups and head bobs and they’ll fan out their dewlaps,” said Griffin. “They’re fun to watch. They have lots of character.”

Griffin initially planned to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Inspired by her time in the lab, Griffin is also considering the pursuit of a PhD in veterinary research.

In April, Griffin first presented her project at the annual American Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology.

Griffin’s research will likely result in a paper to complement her undergraduate studies at Rice University. The possibility for publication in a professional, peer-reviewed journal also exists.

Griffin thanked Dr. Kircher and Dr. Behringer for their guidance and support and is excited to continue her work with both scientists for several more semesters.

Upon her return to Rice University and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center following the winter break, Griffin looks forward to perfecting her microinjection surgical techniques and producing “some really cool mutants.”