To be an explorer means to venture out into the unknown, to try new things, and to search for answers in the most unlikely of places. Exploration is crucial for our success and development, but the idea of facing unfamiliarity can be intimidating. That was the case for me when I first walked through the doors of Fred Hutch, having little knowledge and experience pertaining to biomedical science. However, these worries soon subsided when I met the other Explorers and our instructors, who reassured us that we were not alone. Thus I was able to explore my surroundings and the various aspects of science, filled with curiosity and excitement. Every aspect of the program, whether it was working in the training lab, listening to guest speakers, or holding group discussions, reminded me of what became possible when we commit to exploration.
We learned about a patient named Kristin, who was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 36. When her cancer returned after two years of chemotherapy, Kristin was left with limited options for treatment. She decided to pursue a stem cell transplant, through which healthy donor cells would replace her cancerous blood and immune system, but this route was blocked when a donor match fell through. However, Kristin did not lose hope and decided to take part in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy. In this trial, participants had their T-cells genetically engineered to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that help the T-cells bind to and kill cancerous B-cells. The receptors attach to an antigen called CD19, which is a protein expressed on cancerous B-cells, thus allowing toxic enzymes to enter the cancer cells. Following treatment, Kristin went into complete remission, meaning all signs and symptoms of cancer were eliminated. I was fascinated with the idea of using one’s own body to fight cancer, but I was even more impressed by Kristin’s resilience. Despite experiencing setbacks, she did not give up and tried a new treatment that did not even guarantee results. To me, she too was an explorer, and her strength would go on to impact the lives of many others.
In learning about Kristin’s story, we were also introduced to lab techniques including PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify DNA, CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to make gene edits by precisely cutting DNA, and gel electrophoresis to separate and analyze charged biomolecules. We also learned how to hold lab meetings and communicate our findings with our peers. We visited other labs and viewed C. elegans, fruit flies, and zebrafish. We met scientists from various departments and learned about their pathways. We engaged in many group activities, from making mini posters to creating skits about the immune system. We did so much, yet we barely scratched the surface. Perhaps my favorite thing about science is its never-ending room for discovery, and the Explorers program seamlessly integrated this aspect into our day-to-day activities. Fred Hutch gave me the invaluable opportunity to be a true explorer and helped me learn about science in a way I never thought I could. Thank you to Fred Hutch SEP, the instructors, and fellow Explorers for providing me with an experience I will never forget.
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