| Affiliations: | |
| Project Leader: | Yating Cheng ycheng@cvm.tamu.edu |
| Faculty Mentor: | Stephen Safe, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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Summer 2016 (complete) |
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Team Size:
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4 (Team Full) |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Team Needs:
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Previous laboratory experience is not required, and all science-relate majors are welcome |
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Description:
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Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare but highly malignant cancer, and it is the most common soft-tissue tumor in children and young adults. There are two major two subtypes: embryonal RMS (ERMS) and alveolar RMS (ARMS). LncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) are a relatively new class of RNAs that have a sequence length of 200 nucleotides but do not encode proteins. There has been a surge in publications in the past decade about lncRNAs and their important roles in cellular homeostasis and diseases, particularly in cancer. LncRNAs are potential serum biomarkers of cancer and potential drug targets for various tumors. In this project, we will screen the expression of several lncRNAs, including MALAT-1, HOTTIP, RMST, and PVT1 in at least one or more ERMS and ARMS cell lines and the role of these lncRNAs on cell proliferation, death and migration will also be investigated. As the initial step, the research team will learn techniques for culturing cancer cell lines and they will also be involved in RNAi transfection, cell counting, and apoptosis assays using flow cytometry. |