Over these past two weeks, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the Fred Hutch pathways Explorers program, being able to meet many new individuals working on cancer research and conducting fun experiments in the training lab. I’ve loved learning about the hallmarks of cancer, CAR-T cell therapy, and investigating the case study of Kristin K; a patient with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that underwent an early clinical trial at Fred Hutch which successfully placed her in complete remission. The learning process was exciting, as I had never really delved into the specifics of cancer diagnosis and treatment forms before. Being at Fred Hutch allowed me to gain a firsthand understanding of the pain that patients with cancer and their families endure, and it reinforced the importance of hope and the pursuit of research and treatment methods to improve their lives, creating a lasting impression on me.
Left side: my notes showing Kristin’s case study and body mechanisms, top right: UMAP creative drawing of bone marrow stem cells during our ARTLab, bottom right: PCR visual drawing.
One of my favorite experiences from the program was touring various labs and having the chance to network with research professionals. The Allen Institute was particularly exciting as we had the opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge research on Alzheimer’s Disease and immunology being conducted there. Additionally, the Parkhurst Lab at Fred Hutch was amazing; we engaged in fun activities like separating male and female fruit flies, which was both educational and enjoyable. I also loved learning about structural biology and the intricate process of X-ray crystallography from Dr. Barry Stoddard. It was fascinating to see electron microscopes and various advanced equipment up close. Another highlight was visiting the Bai Lab, where we looked through microscopes at the tiny nematodes, C. elegans, and learned about their behavioral patterns.
Each of these images was taken during our lab tours- top left: X-ray crystallography microscope, top right: Allen Institute of Immunology Lab, bottom left: fruit fly storage racks in the Parkhurst Lab, and bottom right: electron microscope.
Another standout aspect of my time at Fred Hutch was participating in hands-on lab activities. From PCR to CRISPR to gel electrophoresis, I gained many new skills throughout the program. Even smaller skills, such as micropipetting and taking precise measurements, were invaluable. I especially enjoyed our Spot on CML Lab, where we conducted a full experiment—from making the agarose gel ourselves to measuring patient samples and pipetting them into the wells. Our PCR experiment was also very engaging as we went into the dark room to check the DNA strands in our microtubes. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a standard lab technique used to make multiple copies of a specific segment of DNA. The first step involves denaturation, where the DNA sample is heated to a high temperature to separate it into two single strands. Next, the temperature is lowered so that short DNA sequences known as primers can attach to the target DNA segment, a process called annealing. Lastly, the temperature is slightly raised to allow an enzyme called DNA polymerase to add new nucleotide bases and create new strands of DNA, a step known as extension. PCR is used for cancer research as it is useful for identifying specific gene mutations that help with early detection. Overall, each experiment that we did in the lab taught me something new and helped me improve my ability to recheck my work and follow protocols correctly to ensure accurate results.
Each of these images was taken during our labs- top: DNA and negative control microtubes with glowing DNA strands, middle: gel electrophoresis, and bottom: Spot on CML lab bands movement.
Lastly, thank you so much to Fred Hutch, Dr. G, our TAs- Arjun and Elana, and our Alumni Mentor Miah! You all made this experience wonderful and exciting for us and I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication you all put into making this program run smoothly for everyone!
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