Mentor: Dr. Edward Chan
College of Dentistry
"I applied to the Scholars program to continue the research I had been conducting the previous year. I hope to further understand the expression of RR, and the effects of altered amino acid levels on the induction of RR. A long-term goal of mine is to correlate my undergraduate studies in nutrition to a future career in Dentistry. My previous study regarding the effects of nutrient depletion on RR and current study of the role of amino acid synthetic enzymes on RR formation will put me on the path toward achieving my long-term goals."
Major
Food Science and Human Nutrition, Pre-Dental
Minor
Nonprofit Organizational Leadership
Research Interests
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Nutrition
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Oral Cancer
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Immunology
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Cell Biology
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Rods and Rings
Academic Awards
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University Scholars Award 2012,
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Organizations
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UF Pre-Dental American Student Dental Association
Volunteer
- Duval Elementary
- Wilmot Gardens
- Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business' Intercollegiate Business Convention
Hobbies and Interests
Research Description
Effects of Nutrient Starvation on the Induction of Subcellular Rods and Rings
In an effort to further understand the expression of rods and rings (RR) and their role in cancer cells, I will investigate the effects of altered amino acid levels on the induction of RR. I have obtained preliminary results in HeLa (human cervical cancer) cells and plan to extend this study to other species. My study will examine the importance of amino acid synthetic enzymes in the aggregation of RR and help to further characterize the components and function(s) of these structures that are not yet fully understood. The first part of this study will determine the importance of the amount of time cells are exposed to various growth medium conditions and the ratios of amino acid levels. I will also evaluate the effect of various amino acid levels on the mRNA and protein expression of IMPDH2 and CTPS1, two known components of RR. I will then perform knockdown studies of genes believed to be involved in formation of RR to visualize any phenotypic changes of the structure. A long-term goal of mine is to utilize my undergraduate studies in nutrition in a future career in dentistry. My previous study regarding the effects of nutrient depletion on RR and current study of the role of amino acid synthetic enzymes on RR formation will put me on the path toward achieving my long-term goals.