|
Bethany Almquist
Internship Laboratory of Gary Silverman, M.D., Ph.D. Pittsburgh, PA Project Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is one of the three most commonly inherited disorders in Caucasians and is associated with emphysema, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The Z-mutation causes alpha-1 antitrypsin to aggregate and be retained in the rough ER, causing the deficiency. Another mutant, Saar, does not aggregate but is still retained in RER. One of Bethany’s projects was to introduce the Saar mutation into the DNA for wild type alpha-1 antitrypsin and the Z mutant so that these DNAs could be injected into the model organism C. elegans for further study. Impact “The experience enhanced both my communication skills and biological knowledge in genetics and biochemistry. The highlight was learning technical skills such as PCR amplification, mutagenesis, transformation, and immunohistochemical staining. I gained a healthy respect for the time researchers put into their jobs along with their patience in waiting for results. I [also] enjoyed the many heritages that were represented in our particular lab, especially smelling the tasty variety of food at lunchtime.”
Rebecca Barrett Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2007 Internship Laboratory of Silvia Bolland, Ph.D. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Bethesda, MD Project TLR7 plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune disease, specifically systemic lupus erythematosus. The purpose of Rebecca’s project was to identify the importance of TLR7 gene dosage on B cell development and responses in mice. Several strains of mice, including a transgenic strain that contains a duplication of the gene for TLR7, were used to study the effects TLR7 gene dosage. Impact “My experience at the NIH has helped to focus my future. I learned a great deal this summer about careers in science, researchers in my field of interest, and myself. Specifically, I learned about the vast diversity of scientists, the patience required in conducting research, and the gratification in presenting cutting-edge results. I also learned important laboratory skills, such as real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, FACS (flow cytometry), and mouse dissections.”
Kelly Beatty Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2007 Internship Supervisor: Rose Sturm, R.N. Tri State Medical Laboratory and Clinical Site Beaver, PA Project Kelly worked on a clinical study evaluating the effects of various drugs on the change in serum low density lipoprotein (LDL, the “bad cholesterol”) in persons with combined hyperlipidemia. Study subjects were treated for 12 weeks with Tricor, a prescribed drug which inhibits triglyceride synthesis in the liver thereby reducing VLDL, in combination with a new research drug or a placebo. Impact “The internship was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and my skills with the tools that are utilized in the laboratory. I was held accountable for tests to be processed, results to be analyzed and recorded, and machines to be calibrated and operated properly. I was also responsible for checking the results of the cholesterol panel for the patients involved in the study. I was interested in [research] before the study, but to actually be involved in a study that pertains to real patients was very exciting. Working through each step of the research process (hypothesis, analysis, conclusion) was good experience and practice for future tasks in the medical field. This internship assured me that research is a definite goal in my future.” Marijo Bilitski Biochemistry, Class of 2008 Internship Laboratory of Irwin Gelman, Ph.D. Department of Cancer Genetics Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, NY Project Marijo used Western blots to analyze Src and other proteins that play a role in colon cancer metastasis. Due to necrosis of samples and the different hosts of the tumor samples, different procedures were tested to see which would work best. Impact “My experience this summer showed me what research in academia is all about, and I learned that it wasn't for me. [However] internships are important because they can help a student prepare and make good decisions about the future.” Dan Brodland Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2007 Internship Laboratory of Mark Pittelkow, M.D. Department of Dermatology Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN Project Dan studied junctional and dermal nevi (moles) of human skin, searching for B-raf mutations that are also found in melanoma. He used microdissection techniques to isolate nevi cells, then extracted cellular DNA and used it for DNA sequencing. The DNA sequences were analyzed to determine if the junctional and dermal nevi had B-raf mutations. Impact “I loved my experience at the Mayo Clinic! I was able to work with brilliant people. I participated in some thinktanks where I saw how people think up the next idea to work on and how they formulate a protocol and collect samples. The best thing I learned from my experience was how to deal with unsuccessful experiments. Sometimes people make mistakes and sometimes protocols need to be altered, but every result can tell you something if you look hard enough. Scientific research is not just a scientist pouring some chemicals into a flask. It's numerous people working together over a long period of time towards one goal. Everyone is important in their own way and I feel honored to [have been] a part of it.” Stefanie Brown Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2008, (fourth from left) Internship Laboratory of David Giovannucci, Ph.D. Toledo, OH Project Stefanie’s project was to determine how concentrated amounts of ATP affected spatiotemporal dynamics of exocytosis and calcium signaling in mouse parotid gland. Impact “I thoroughly enjoyed my internship. The people in the lab were great and the research kept me on my toes. If something did not work, it was my job to sit down and come up with another method to get the results... It was constant problem-solving. Research is about trial and error--you try one way and if it doesn't work, you get up the next day and try something else. I learned the basic ins and outs of what a career in research would really be like. It was [also] great getting hands-on experience with several high-tech microscopes.” Christina DiCarlo Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2008 Internship Laboratory of Gary Silverman, M.D., Ph.D. Pittsburgh, PA Project Christina worked with SRP-6, an intracellular C. elegans cysteine proteinase inhibitor that is homologous to human squamous cell carcinoma antigen I. The goal of her work was to produce active soluble recombinant SRP-6 protein in E. coli bound to either a NUS or GST tag. Impact “I learned a plethora of new lab techniques and gained more confidence in a laboratory setting. I experienced firsthand how many biological concepts and principles that I had learned at W&J could be applied and used in a laboratory. I also faced my fears of presenting a Powerpoint talk twice in front of a large group of professionals. Some highlights of my internship include our Ethnic Lunch, during which all the members of the lab made food of their nationality, and also being able to shadow Dr. Silverman in the Neonatal ICU. After observing the career of Dr. Silverman, I am now considering applying to an M.D./Ph.D. program. I also plan to return to Dr. Silverman's lab to continue my work.” Jerry Escajeda Cell and Molecular Biology, Class of 2007 Internship Laboratory of Sandeep Kathju, M.D., Ph.D. Center for Genomic Sciences Allegheny-Singer Research Institute Pittsburgh, PA Project Jerry’s summer research focused on the newly-discovered novel gene product clone 11 and its importance in mammalian scarless wound healing. He used RT/PCR, GeneRACE, Northern Blots, Real-Time PCR, and DNA sequencing to study the clone 11 gene product from rabbit skin tissue and rabbit fibroblasts. Impact “From this experience I have learned that true scientific investigation takes an enormous amount of tedious work, significant funding, and a lot of time (far more than ten weeks of a summer) to accomplish profound work. Also, from this experience I have learned that I can still retain my goal of becoming a physician and also do research at the same time, as my advisor did. Focusing on both disciplines not only seemed more feasible after this summer, but also seemed more equally important to me.” S. Kam Lam Biochemistry and Spanish, Class of 2007, (third from left) Internship Laboratory of Edward Snell, Ph.D. Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute Buffalo, NY Project Kam looked at 1536 different solutions to determine if they can be made into cryoprotectants for the preservation of protein crystals. These crystals are damaged by x-ray diffraction analysis and, therefore, it is helpful to add a cryoprotectant to the mixture that can act as anti-freeze and reduce the damage to the crystals. Kam also created different proteins, including insulin and ribonuclease crystals, that will be sent to the Stanford synchrotron for analysis. Impact “My summer internship experience surpassed all of my expectations. Dr. Snell is a great mentor and he taught me a lot about crystallography with various projects that we worked on. HWI is a friendly environment to work in and I met a lot of friends. Western NY is a great area that is rich in culture and history. I was very lucky and stayed with [W&J alumna] Dr. Lyn Dyster, who introduced me to the world of pharmaceutical companies and her family and friends.” Alex Leckie Biochemistry, Class of 2007 Internship Laboratory of Dennis J. Slamon, M.D. Division of Hematology-Oncology David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Los Angeles, CA Project Alex analyzed the heterogeneity of head and neck cancer, a broad class which includes cancers of the tongue, mucosa of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, and sinus cavities. Defining the heterogeneity of any type of cancer provides a better understanding of how the same type of cancer affects different individuals, ultimately allowing more effective treatment. Alex studied the effects of the anticancer agent Tarceva (erlotinib) on 16 different cell lines derived from tumors from patients with head and neck cancer. He was also responsible for large-scale culture of 26 different head and neck cancer cell lines and their preparation for paraffin wax embedding, RNA/DNA processing, and tissue microarray analysis. Impact “I had a wonderful experience at UCLA. The amount of tissue culture that I was responsible for seemed overwhelming at times, but I was able to hit the ground running due to my previous experiences with tissue culture in Cell Biology. Because W&J taught me these fundamentals, I had the opportunity to get exposure to more-specialized areas of research. The highlight of the entire experience [was working] alongside researchers at the forefront in cancer research, and they trusted me to do their tissue culture. It made me realize how much I enjoy tissue culture and how much of an art it is. One cannot entirely comprehend what research is all about until he or she becomes a part of it and sees it firsthand. I never thought I would get to do one-quarter of what I did at UCLA, and what I did was far beyond what I thought ‘typical’ research would be like. To anyone interested in a research internship, I urge you to discover for yourself how rewarding, exciting, and important research truly is.” Amy Plotkin Biochemistry and Spanish, Class of 2007 Internship Laboratory of Charles Wade, Ph.D. US Army Institute of Surgical Research Fort Sam Houston, TX (internship sponsored by Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative [PTEI]) Project Amy collected and analyzed data from soldiers in Iraq who had sustained penetrating injuries (i.e. from gunshots or improvised explosive devices). These data were used to determine if a new coagulation test would better diagnose which blood component was needed via transfusion. Amy also wrote a paper that is being submitted for publication. Impact “The institute is adjacent to a medical center and I was able to shadow surgeons in the burn ward and go on trauma and burn rounds. We went to research meetings and attended seminars every week with visiting researchers and physicians. All in all, I got great experience with the paper writing process and made some amazing contacts who are willing to employ me after I graduate.”
|
(1).jpg)
Legal | Contact Us
