Meera J.

My name is Meera Jadeja, I am going to be an upcoming sophomore at Mount Si High School this fall. This summer I decided to take part in the Fred Hutch Explorers Research program at the Cancer Center because I have always been fascinated with medicine and the human body since my childhood. Over the last two weeks I have participated in research activities and laboratory tours. I got some great opportunities to learn extensively about different types and pathologies of cancer.  The major highlight for me was learning about promising new breakthrough therapies and treatments. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from the field experts while sharing a great bond with fellow explorers.

The big takeaway for me was learning about CRISPR gene editing technology. CRISPR uses a short RNA cas9 protein sequence (guide RNA) to locate a specific DNA sequence within a cell. CRISPR gene editing in humans offers the potential to treat and potentially cure genetic diseases by precisely modifying DNA. It involves using a bacterial immune system, CRISPR-Cas9, to target and alter specific DNA sequences within the human genome. My hope is that one day my personal genetic disease can be cured using technology like CRISPR.

I learned Micro Pipetting skills. Micropipettes are essential for precise liquid handling in PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) experiments, enabling accurate measurement and transfer of small volumes of reagents.

I learned about Drosophila techniques in lab. Perfect for genetic studies, fruit flies share 75% of the genes that cause diseases in humans. With a malleable DNA code and the ability to breed quickly, this model organism is helping scientists understand the nuances of disease development. Zebrafish embryogenesis observation in the lab was fascinating because I got to see different stages of embryonic development. Zebrafish embryos are transparent, allowing scientists to observe internal organs and tissues as they develop. Zebrafish embryos can be used to model human diseases by introducing specific gene mutations or testing potential drug treatments. 

I would like to thank Dr. Gennifer Goode and the researchers at Fred Hutch for giving me this wonderful opportunity to engage and learn about biomedical research, epidemiology and promising new technologies in the medical space. This experience has strengthened my interest in biomedical research and motivated me to explore and pursue a career in this field.