Second Year Students
Gianluca Arianna
Porphyrins for Cancer Cell Destruction
In nanomedicine, nanoparticles are utilized for therapeutic strategies such as drug
transport and sensitization. One widely studied nanoparticle is the porphyrin, an aromatic
macrocycle, found naturally in hemoglobin and chlorophyll. Interactions of the electron
orbitals along covalent bonding sites in the molecule give the porphyrin its enhanced
optical properties and light absorption capabilities. Consequently, porphyrins have been
frequently used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) as sensitizers. PDT is a method of
cancer cell destruction in which cells are destroyed by light radiation. Efficiency of PDT
is increased by metallization of the porphyrins to enhance light absorption. Future studies
will search for new methods to irradiate and functionalize porphyrins in order to increase
their efficiency.
Christine Berrios
PKG Inhibitor Medication to Cease Chronic Pain
Pain that persists longer than the natural course of healing is known as chronic
pain. A protein known to be involved in sustaining chronic pain is protein kinase G
(PKG). Research shows that PKG is a positive injury signal in sensory neurons and
responds to both nerve injury and inflammation. Many chronic pain conditions involve a
long-term hyperexcitability (LTH) that appears in the first set of neurons in the pain
pathway. LTH enhances signals to the pain centers in the central nervous system and is
associated with two types of chronic pain - allodynia and hyperalgesia. PKG is a
necessary element in the induction of the LTH. Consequently, research is currently being
done to synthesize PKG inhibitors that will alleviate chronic pain. However, in order to
achieve this, researchers must first investigate if the drugs reach the injured cells. For the
first time, a cell based assay will be used to accomplish this objective.
Diana Capalbo
Alzheimer’s Disease and Neuroinflammation
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) causes apoptosis in the brain and amyloid-beta plaque
build up. Current research demonstrates that neuroinflammation is linked to the initiation
and progression of AD. Minocycline is an anti-inflammatory drug, capable of increasing
cognitive function in transgenic AD mice. The number of activated microglia also
increases with the use of minocycline. DSP-4 is a molecule that can alter
neuroinflammation through its reduction of noradrenaline (NA), a neurotransmitter in the
CNS that can constrict blood vessels. Through administration of minocycline and DSP-4,
neuroinflammation could be controlled. Future research will investigate the interaction
of DSP-4 and minocycline when administered together to evaluate their combined
efficiency in the control of neuroinflammation and AD.
Christina Casanova
Accelerated Neurological Deficits Due to CCS Overexpression
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease, marked by
the progressive degeneration of motor neurons within the Central Nervous System
(CNS). Apoptotic neurons had previously been linked to atrophy, weakness, and
fasculations. Researchers then aimed to further investigate how gene expression of
mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD1) would contribute to their degeneration.
Responsible for destroying free superoxide radicals in the body, mutations in this gene
have been implicated as the foundation for the familial form of this disease. Inside the
nucleus of the motor neurons, mSOD1 tampers with DNA/RNA metabolism, and then
accumulates and creates toxic radicals. A stress is thus created within the mitochondria,
leading to excessive exotoxicity and apoptosis. Copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS),
although not found to play a role in the onset of ALS, is needed for copper incorporation
into the cell. Its mechanisms have been an area of investigation in relationship to its role
in superoxide expression. Further investigation of the underlying mitochondrial
mechanisms of this mutation could lead to treatments that delay ALS progression.
Jessica Dhillon
The MYC Gene and its Association with Neuroblastoma
Autoregulation of the Myc gene family is a negative feedback mechanism known
to occur at high levels of Myc expression. Loss of this mechanism and consequent Myc
overexpression has been observed in human tumors, thereby contributing to
tumorigenesis. Childhood neuroblastoma is characterized by N-Myc amplification in
aggressive and highly proliferative tumors that occur in a subset of patients. The levels
of target gene expression may offer explanations for the differences in the clinical
behavior of neuroblastoma and may prove to be of prognostic significance in the future.
Jennifer Eng
The Effects of Decision Making on Children's Eyewitness Identification
A long standing question in cognitive psychology relates to the extent to which a
child's ability to use and acquire information is limited by the structural features of the
taken perspective. Several variables that potentially impact children's eyewitness
testimony have been studied. These include suggestibility, memory, decision-making
and cognitive development. Children's memories are often faulty and frequently include
memories of events that never happened. Since eyewitness testimony has implications for
morality and for the practice of justice, the interest in studying children's eyewitness
testimony becomes particularly relevant. Future studies will focus on an investigation to
study children's eyewitness testimony within the context of theoretical perspectives of
moral development and decision-making theory.
Eric Lo
Role of Spo11 Aplha and Related Proteins in Recombination Meiosis
Meiosis is the essential process required for diploid eukaryotic cells to generate
gametes, or sex cells needed for sexual reproduction. Double-stranded breaks (DSB), a
type of DNA damage that fractures the DNA strands, actually have been found to initiate
meiosis in yeast cells and to propagate one of the hallmark features of this process,
homologous recombination. Spo11 is one of the chief proteins that produce DSBs, but
past studies have shown that only its Spo11 beta units are directly involved in creating
DSBs. Its alpha units still have undocumented roles, potentially crucial ones. Future
research hopes to incorporate the Spo11 alpha protein into mice both to test its effects
and to potentially discover hidden proteins with which it interacts.
Marina Makarious
Calcium-dependence of Agonist-induced Trafficking of Neuronal Calcium Channels
Calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels triggers the release
of neurotransmitters. Mutations in these calcium channels have been shown to lead to
chronic migraines and epilepsy. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane
proteins that transmit signals into the cell and help to regulate calcium influx into neurons
by modulating calcium channel activity. It has been reported that GPCRs can modify the
number of calcium channels in the membrane by controlling channel trafficking. There is
an abundance of calcium sensor proteins, which include calmodulin and NCS-1, in the
brain that regulate ion channels. Future research will investigate the hypothesis that
NCS-1 modulates channel activity through the regulation of its trafficking.
Matthew O’Neale
Abnormalities in the Striatum and Frontal Lobe Anatomy Contribute to Autistic
Dysfunction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by severe impairments in social,
communicative, and behavioral skills. It has garnered significant awareness in society
due to a dramatic increase in the frequency of its diagnosis in the last decade. Past
research has identified several areas of the brain, including the striatum, frontal lobe,
amygdala, and thalamus as detrimentally affected in ASD patients. Future research will
attempt to map any and all affected regions of the ASD brain so as to compare them with
brain regions of normal controls in an attempt to discover “disconnectivity.”
“Disconnectivity” refers to the hypothesis that ASD results directly from disconnections
of brain regions that originate at birth. This work will bring researchers one step closer to
understanding and determining the underlying neuronal deficits that are contributing to
the proliferation of autism.
Nicole Rebusi
Study of the State of the Economy of the United States Using Gross State Products (GSP)
in a Similarity Index.
Economic development within the United States is not comparable in all states.
Economic growth in the US is shown to generally progress from an economy dependent
on raw goods to an economy that is dependent on manufactured goods. However, the
final stage in the United States economic development does not rest on manufactured
goods, but rather on services. The Similarity Index will show that all three stages of
development currently exist in the United States and that economies move progressively
through these stages. A similar study was attempted by the founder of the Similarity
Index study. However, his study used the indicative income source. Given that income
source is a volatile factor, this study in its future research will utilize the gross state
product (GSP) to replace income source. GSP is a more reliable indicator, provided by
the Bureau of Economics. An analysis of the top five, mid-five, and the bottom five states
will be performed. The analysis is expected to confirm that the economic development in
the US shifts its dependency consistently through the stages of natural resources
manufacturing, and finally services.
Adela Ruiz
Evaluating the Relationship between Neuropsychological Performance and Daily
Functioning in Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
Functional assessment is essential for diagnostic accuracy of such conditions as
dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Because there is uncertainty that daily function
is associated with psychological test performance, further study in this field is essential,
especially with respect to different cultures. Some researchers have reported no
difference between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites on predictability of function with
neuropsychological measures; yet others have found notable differences. Future research
will investigate the ability of various neuropsychological tests to predict self-reported
functional ability in an elderly community-dwelling cohort in northern Manhattan. It is
expected that the set of significantly predictive tests of daily function will exhibit
significant differenced when analyzed by ethnic/language group. The use of
neuropsychological measures to predict function is hypothesized to be more effective in
English-speakers versus Spanish-Speakers. With this knowledge, new more effective
types of assessment could be constructed so as to provide equal and accurate assessment
for all groups of patients.
Krishan Sharma
Using BMP-7 to Induce the Formation of Osseous Tissue from Skeletal Muscles as a
New Alternative to Bone Grafting
Over 800,000 bone grafting procedures are performed in the United States
annually, creating a demand for viable alternatives to autogenous bone, the grafting
standard in osseous repair. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has recently been
discovered to cause the formation of osseous tissue from derived skeletal muscle cells. It
has also been discovered, however, that BMP-7 exposure must occur in vivo, and thus
require bioactive scaffolds as a medium. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) is a
scaffold that has been used heavily in tissue engineering due to its unique features. These
include its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and osteoconductivity. Past research has
delivered BMP-7 to muscle cells of various organisms via PLAGA to successfully induce
mineralization. Future research will apply BMP-7 to cells in a controlled manner in an
attempt to create new molars.