| Affiliations: | Genetics & Genomics Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Hussain Alcassab
halcassab@tamu.edu Medical Physiology |
| Faculty Mentor | Carl A. Gregory, PhD |
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Meeting Times:
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TBA |
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Team Size:
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3
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| Open Spots: | 3 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Gaining exposure to the field of basic scientific research, along with other crucial lab skills. Authorship on publications is also possible, with opportunities to potentially present at conferences.
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Team Needs:
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Seeking motivated students with an interest in cancer biology/translational research! Mandatory Requirements: -Past coursework in Biology or related fields (Genetics, Biochemistry, etc.) -Drive to learn new techniques and ask questions -Help with general lab tasks (Checking CO2 tank levels, refilling dewars, autoclaving waste, etc.) Preferred skills: -Pipetting volumes (1uL-1000uL) -Utilization of qPCR/ELISA to interrogate gene expression -Mouse Handling Work (potential but not required!) |
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Description:
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In this project, undergraduate researchers will have the opportunity to gain knowledge on cancer biology, molecular signalling pathways, and hands-on laboratory techniques. Osteosarcoma is driven by the malignant proliferation of immature bone cells leading to osteolytic lesions (holes in bone), which past literature has linked to the protein Dkk-1. In osteoblast progenitor cells (the cells that give rise to bone forming cells), Dkk-1 secreted by osteosarcoma tumors prevents their maturation, thereby interfering with bone repair and contributing to osteolytic lesion formation.
The Gregory lab has previously demonstrated targeting of the Dkk1 gene with an antisense morpholino that prevents translation of Dkk-1 mRNA, inhibited bone destruction, increased tumor necrosis, and a decreased rate of pulmonary metastasis in both cancer cell cultures and tumors implanted in mice. This project will target treatment of osteosarcoma in pet dogs as a model for treatment in humans and dogs alike. We will investigate morpholino effectiveness both in cell cultures and in canine osteosarcoma tumors implanted into mice. Using various methods to interrogate effectiveness (assessing gene expression levels, microscopy techniques, tissue staining, X-ray scanning, etc.) will better inform potential preclinical trials. |