July 3, 2018, Filed Under: 2018, cancer, reflections, researchReflecting on Research Hi, I’m Josh, a rising sophomore at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Biomedical Engineering and a part of the UT Austin BME CURes Cancer REU. Although our lab is currently in the “set up phase” of my project, much progress has been made. Our experiment itself is two-fold: part wet lab, part dry lab, and I have learned to enjoy the breaks that each one gives the other. This is the type of analysis our lab performs where we take the percentage of cells that are alive after a certain dose of treatment and fit them to a curve using Matlab. My project involves using the process of EMT (Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition) to predict the effect of matrix stiffness on chemotherapy resistance in mammalian cancer cells. Like I mentioned, we are currently in the setup phase: seeding, lasing, dosing, and performing live/dead assays in order to test the effect of a wider range of matrix stiffnesses on chemotherapy resistance using Dose/Response curves. In these pictures, we are seeding 5 mM gels in preparation to dose and eventually perform a live/dead assay on them. Our lab hopes to develop a mechanistic model that predicts the effect matrix stiffness has on drug resistance due to a change in the proportion of mesenchymal cells. This can be detected through confocal imaging by marking certain transcription factors like YAP. This lab has taught me much more than to follow protocols. It has given me the ability to be independent and understand that I enjoy exploring new topics I am not caught up on in the scientific community. I am suddenly gaining critical skills like reading published papers, and without the great flexibility of my mentors and PI, I would never be able to gain these tools that I will definitely need down the road. Excited to see what results the month of July holds! -Joshua Krachman, Johns Hopkins University
July 2, 2018, Filed Under: 2018, fun, ut austinBowling Party! Hello! My name is Gabriela Hernandez and I am a rising sophomore at Boston University. I have spent these past four weeks as a participant in the BME CURes Cancer REU, here at UT Austin, and I have nothing but great things to say about the time I’ve spent here. Not only am I able to conduct research on a topic that fascinates me, but I am also able to make great summer memories with amazing people. Below are some pictures of one of these memories at the Union Underground. In this picture, Fawaz, Donovan, and Josh are carrying the bowling champion, Dominique. All four of them are in the BME CURes Cancer REU, just like I am. Here is a picture featuring Ella, Corey, Ashley, and Emily! These girls are in an REU called MRSEC, and we’re excited to bowl after a long, grueling day in lab. Not to mention these girls have serious skill! They ended their first game with a combined score of 384. Here is a picture of Josh after scoring a strike! Josh’s first time bowling was at this bowling social, so he was all smiles when all ten pins fell down. I must admit, even though Josh is just a beginner, he could easily pass as a professional. Action Shot! This picture clearly portrays Dominique’s amazing form. She states that flicking her hind leg up gives her leverage and pointing her index finger ensures that the ball rolls straight and down the middle. Dominique, the bowling champion, ended her second game with a score of 178. Way to go Dominique! Donovan, a.k.a the fast and the furious, only knows how to bowl two ways, and that’s fast and powerful. Donovan scored three strikes in a row his first game. The amount of precision and strength he outputs each round is definitely impressive. Donovan says that he’s excited for the next bowling event because it’s a great way to relax after a long day in lab. -Gaby, Boston University
June 25, 2018, Filed Under: 2018, cancer, texas4000Letter to Texas4000 Rider McKenzie Clayton Dear Mackenzie, My name is Isaac Gándara. I am a rising Junior from the University of Texas at El Paso and I wanted to thank you for your dedication and efforts in the fight against cancer. Along with the funds you have raised in support of research, your long ride raises awareness for the need for research, and that in and of itself is invaluable. Because of what you and what the other riders do, I and other people engaging in cancer research experiences are able to work. Furthermore, I wanted to congratulate you on your progress thus far. As I write this, you are nearly halfway to 4000 miles! I also wanted to say I’m sorry for your loss of your grandmother. I also lost a grandparent to cancer and understand how hard it is to lose someone. But because of your journey, you will help other people in their own fight with cancer. Be proud of what you have accomplished and what you will complete in the coming month, you have earned it! Thank you for everything and keep working hard! Sincerely, Isaac Gándara, The University of Texas at El Paso Isaac in front of the mural at the 23rd Street Artist’s Market in Austin, Texas. Photo by Fawaz Mohsin.
