Nidhi K.

Hi! My name is Nidhi, and I’m a rising junior at Tesla STEM High School.

One of the main highlights of the Explorers program was the Spot On CML Lab. In this lab, we were given four different DNA samples of different patients and tested for chronic myelogenous leukemia. We first added loading dye to each sample as well as the three control samples we received (two positive controls, one negative control). We then set up a gel and loaded all the samples, along with the DNA ladder, into the different wells, and analyzed the results.

Finished gel from the Spot On CML Lab

By looking at the finished gel, we can see that out of the four patients (wells 5-8), the band on well 5 matches with the band on well 3, which is a positive control for CML. This shows that the patient has CML. The remaining three wells have no bands, similar to well 4, which is a negative control for CML, meaning those patients do not have CML. This work has a significant connection to Fred Hutch. Chronic myelogenous leukemia is cancer of the blood and bone marrow, in which it makes too many white blood cells. Most people with CML have a genetic mutation in the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. Once CML is diagnosed, it can be treated successfully with one drug. Dr. Jerry Radich and his team at Fred Hutch developed the Spot On CML test to help people in low- and middle-income countries get diagnosed with CML. Doctors from around the world can spot a patient’s blood onto a special paper and send it to Fred Hutch, where scientists can then detect the genetic mutation that diagnoses CML. This project has helped 371 patients total in 15 countries from Uganda to Fiji to Honduras receive life-saving medicines for their CML. Performing such an important test and seeing the results in real life was such a cool experience for me. Knowing that I had successfully tested and diagnosed this disease made me feel very connected to the world of science and medicine. The experiment was so fun to perform, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to perform it at the place where it was actually invented.

Loading gels for the gel electrophoresis

Another one of my favorite parts of the program was Dr. Abizar Lakdawalla’s talk on liquid biopsies for cancer research. He talked about a lot of new research, and one topic I found particularly interesting was noninvasive prenatal testing, in which a blood test is performed on a mother early in pregnancy to estimate the risk of certain diseases the baby may develop during its life, including cancer. I found this surprising, and it gave me ideas for research that I plan to do in high school and in my future career.

Overall, the Fred Hutch program really expanded my perspective on biology and research. In the span of two weeks, I learned so much from the different guest speakers, labs, and activities, which made me even more excited for my future in medicine. I also had so much fun talking to my peers in the program and met some amazing people. I’m definitely going to miss playing Mafia with all the unique roles we added. This program has given me knowledge and experiences that I will be sure to carry with me into whatever comes next.