The Fred Hutch Explorers program is an opportunity that I am incredibly grateful to be a part of within this cohort. These two weeks packed with learning and activities have left me even more excited about my future as a healthcare professional. Each day I would obtain insight on a topic or focus that broadened my view and knowledge of the biomedical realm. Out of every aspect of my time in Explorers, I would say that the labs that we conducted were undoubtedly my highlights of this program. At first, I was unsure how labs would look in our current remote setting, and despite uncertainty, we completed two labs within our time frame. Each investigation we carried out focused on one goal that Explorers aimed to achieve. The initial lab spotlighted DNA extraction, as we utilized materials such as rubbing alcohol, strawberries, and an array of others to extract DNA from the strawberry. We operated in small groups to design and execute a procedure using reason and prior knowledge. This lab was my preference out of the two, and my group was triumphant in extracting DNA! The included image is the result of the procedure my group performed, and it presents the distinct clumps of DNA floating inside the tube, which I thought was fascinating. I chose this activity as my highlight because not only do I thoroughly enjoy hands-on practice, this lab was an astounding learning experience. Namely, we had to work together to put our heads together and craft an entire procedure to obtain a successful result. It was a great way to gain practice with essential skills such as collaboration and teamwork, vital within the biomedical research field.
I chose to delve into the news story from Fred Hutch titled New concerns about coronavirus evolution in immunosuppressed patients. Written by Sabin Russell, this article discusses the need for advancements regarding Covid-19 in immunosuppressed persons. The research conducted illustrates the threat of mutations leading to new variants of SARS-CoV-2, specifically within patients that have immune system disorders. These variants are an example of saltational evolution when evolution leaps instead of making gradual changes as usual. Their goal is to learn more about how the immune system of immunosuppressed individuals reacts to Covid-19. This way, they will be more equipped to try and combat this alarming issue before it gets out of hand and a lot harder to control. Covid-19 is an ongoing virus that has impacted our lives in extreme ways and has been for over a year now. Although there have been advancements in treatment options for this virus, such as vaccines, it does not mean that the pandemic has vanished. This study is crucial because it will help stop the contraction of new and developed mutations and variants of this already worrisome disease. They will also be leading to more advancements in science relating to the knowledge surrounding saltational evolution and how variants start regarding Covid-19. I chose this study because I have been hearing news about new variants of the virus all across social media, and I wanted to learn more about how they were evolving and the differences between the variants. Dr. Larry Corey, an accomplished virologist and past director of Fred Hutch, is one of the greatest advocates on this study and is continuing to push for more studies and data relating to this cause
The outcome of our DNA Extraction lab; floating strands of DNA are visible.
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