Me & Dalya working with CRISPR & Micropipetting in the lab
During my time at the Hutch, I've gained many valuable experiences and exposure to the lab environment. Not only was the educational aspect of the program valuable, but the networking and connections built with my peers. Walking into the program, I had the goal of learning the "why" behind a cancer diagnosis. What causes a cell to exhibit behaviors that characterize it as cancer? How do treatments counteract this cancerous behavior? These questions remained in the back of my mind throughout the program, allowing me to make the most of the resources we were given. On the very first day of the program, my question received a brief answer as we looked at the story of a former cancer patient at the Hutch named Kristen. Throughout the two-week explorer's program, we deepened our understanding of her case study, focusing on how her immune cells were genetically engineered to kill her leukemia cancer cells. Of the many cancer treatments we learned during our program, this specific process of genetically engineering her T cells gained my attention.
Now, going back to the question that still lingered in my head... how? Narrowing this complex process down, CAR T-cell therapy, which achieved a 93% remission rate in Kristen’s trial, involves extracting a patient’s T cells, genetically modifying them to target cancer cells, and then reinfusing them. This personalized approach enhances the T cells’ ability to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. This treatment has a significant impact on the immune system’s ability to fight cancer, often leading to exceptional outcomes in patients who have not responded to conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. In Kristin's case, she had previously undergone Chemotherapy where she went into remission, however her cancer reappeared 1.5 years later. Learning that her CAR T cell therapy put her in complete remission interested me in the power of genetic engineering in cancer treatment. If current treatment is as effective as it was in the clinical trial, I can’t begin to imagine what possible applications might happen in the
future! We ourselves got the chance to experiment with a specific kind of gene editing tool known as CRISPR.
Before the Explorers program, I wasn’t aware of such advanced treatment. Once I was introduced to this new knowledge however, I became heavily engaged and eager to learn more. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to be part of an amazing cohort! Every moment was exciting and left me with new insights, whether it was gaining new lab experiences with my lab partners or simply sitting in the cafeteria with my peers. The program was truly an unforgettable experience that I will carry with me wherever I go next and has provided me with a strong foundation for further exploration in this field!
Lunch Table!
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