Project Summary
(Andrew Volk and Dr. Jiwang Zhang)
Each year, leukemia claims the lives of approximately 22,000 people, with an
additional 36,000 people newly diagnosed with the disease. Some of these leukemias
are a secondary tumor, an unfortunate side-effect which arises after targeted therapy for
an existing cancer. Leukemias formed due to mutations to the MLL gene (Mixed
Lineage Leukemia) are the most prevalent of these secondary tumors and are
renowned for their aggressive progression and resistance to chemotherapy and
radiation. We are trying to answer the question of why these cells are so resistant to
treatment by studying cell death mechanisms in MLL leukemia cells, and comparing our
findings to what we discover in normal blood cells. By identifying key differences
between MLL leukemia cells and normal blood cells, we hope to identify new targets for
anti-leukemia therapy. Our studies utilize chemical inhibitors and retroviral constructs
within multiple backgrounds to manipulate signaling pathways in MLL leukemia cells.
Undergraduate Work Expectations
Time Commitment:
Regular Appointments:
Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00 (flexible depending on experiment load)
Progress Report (Sundays via email)
Lab Meeting (Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 p.m.)
Leukemia Group Meeting (Thursdays 10:00-11:00 a.m.)
During their tenure, the undergraduate associate will initially be given
responsibility of maintaining multiple genotypes of leukemia cells. Once comfortable
with managing cells, he/she will train in experiments ranging in complexity from basic
pharmaceutical inhibitor studies, to genetic manipulation with retroviruses, to
immunoflourescence. We will measure the effects of the experiment treatments on
leukemia cells by either colony forming unit assay, flow cytometry, or western blot. After
training, they will work side-by-side with the graduate mentor on parallel projects using
these skills. Their project will be presented at the weekly lab meeting, as well as
periodically to the Leukemia Research Group.