This summer I was given the chance to participate (in person) in the Fred Hutch Explorers Program. The program provided insight into research concerning cancer, immunotherapy, CRISPR, and other focuses of modern science, as well as the opportunity to practice working in a lab with guidance. In addition to advice and suggestions for college and our future plans. Aside from the technical aspects, which I found to be incredibly helpful, I would like to run through my experiences within the program.
The People
Within the first week was introductions, and while I understood the hesitations of a group of teenagers, we were able to quickly open up and behave more outwardly. My cohort was an extremely friendly and sociable group of kids that made it easy to enjoy the experience.
My lab partner was Juha, who was very kind and earnest. With her help we were able to efficiently finish the labs.
an image of our lab bench, featuring Juha
Our cohort was led by Dr. Goode and Dr Lalish. Both displayed generous patience and consistent support throughout the last two weeks.
In addition to them, were the numerous TA’s, guest speakers and lab aids that we had, all of them were very knowledgeable and eager to answer our questions. I will explain more about their lectures in further detail later, but would like to thank them for the time and effort they set aside to present and respond to us.
Training Labs
DNA extraction - This was the first lab that we did. We were tasked with creating protocols to extract DNA from a strawberry using provided household items. In partners, we were given descriptions and functions of the items in addition to information concerning cell components. After developing a protocol, we tried the procedure in the lab. With a following class discussion that allowed us to reach a consensus on the best protocol. This initial lab exercised the importance of writing down protocol and utilizing known information to find the best solution.
Micropipettes practice - We were then introduced to a tool that we would begin to commonly use within the labs. Micropipettes accurately and precisely transfer volumes of liquid in the microliter range. We learned about micropipette range and display, and practiced proper technique that became useful in the following labs.
Dye electrophoresis - This lab introduced us to agarose gel electrophoresis, which separates molecules by size, shape and charge. Given information on the stock dyes and pH indicators we would be using, we attempted to predict the movement of the dye. Running the gel electrophoresis involved using a micropipette to pipe the dyes into wells within the gel that were submerged in a buffer solution in a MiniOne Carriage. Then we would have to determine the components of two unknown dye mixtures, using our data from the gel electrophoresis.
PCR of B2M and Spot Test - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is the process of amplifying DNA by creating numerous copies. Combining template DNA(which in this case was B2M) with PCR grade water and a master mix of TAQ DNA polymerase, nucleotides and primers. PCR has three stages that occur at different temperatures: Denaturation(95°c); the strands of DNA separate. Annealing(48-72°c); primers attach to the DNA strands. And Extension(72°c); the TAQ polymerase builds onto the attached primer creating a new strand. This process is repeated multiple times within a machine. After this, we ran a spot test using a DNA stain called SYBRsafe that binds to DNA and glows under a blue LED to see if our reaction had worked.
CRISPR digest and gel - After using PCR to replicate the B2M gene, we got to choose two pre-engineered CRISPR cas9 gRNA, to cut the DNA. CRISPR cas9 is a new gene editing tool with a guide RNA that targets a PAM (protospacer adjacent motif) and unzips the DNA to see if it matches the gRNA, if so it cuts the DNA. We mixed the reagents of PCR grade water, 10x cas9 buffer, our gRNA and cas9 nuclease for each of our chosen guide RNA’s. Then we mixed it by gently flicking the tubes, and then incubating for 15 minutes. Then adding Proteinase K to degrade any of the remaining cas9 enzymes. We began gel analysis by prepping our gel and filling the wells with a DNA ladder, B2M PCR product and our two cut sample solutions in order to compare fragment sizes to see if they matched the estimated base pair counts.
CML lab - In the CML lab we got to practice rehydrating samples from Blood Spot Cards(false blood). Following that we were given a DNA ladder, controls and patient samples to load into the gel in order to identify whether the patient had variations of CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia).
Bacteria painting - For our final lab, we did art with bacteria that had been transformed by plasmids that would display different colors. We used toothpicks to paint with e. coli. It helped us to practice sterile procedures in order to ensure that the colors wouldn’t mix, and was a pretty chill experience.
Lectures
Becoming a Resilient Scientist (Amber Ismael) - On the second day of the program we were introduced to Dr. Amber, a Senior Program Manager who discussed the cognitive distortions that many people face, both as a scientist and as an individual. She worked to help us focus on prioritizing our work and ability over lingering on or exaggerating negative thoughts that would be detrimental to our success. This included a wellness check that made us evaluate our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health.
BMT and Immunotherapy (Jeff Armour Rodgers) - Jeff Rodgers is a lab technologist at Fred Hutch. He told us about his work on immunotherapy, which is the treatment to reestablish a balance in the immune system. In particular he prepares blood for BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) in order to rescue the immune system from the toxic effects of chemotherapy. He continued to list the different types of immunotherapy modalities and the process in which BMT occurs, and its differing possible procedures.
Infectious Diseases (Raabya Rossenkhan) - Dr. Rossenkhan spoke to us about her experience growing up in Botswana and seeking science in order to better her community, which began with studying the transfer of HIV through breast milk. Which led to her traveling to different universities and her experience with different cultures. She spoke about working with statisticians and working to find a middle ground between formal and informal presentation jargon.
Public Health (Hallie Prichett) - This lecture was informal and provided a conversational atmosphere as she told us about her path to becoming a Public Health Official, her line of work and goals of improving equity in both the scientific field and employment. She provided advice concerning college and told us about engaging in local projects.
(Regina Wu) - Regina is also a program manager and provided several lectures and projects for us to do. She led us through the cell cycle, the basic formation of cancer and the issue with mutations that prevent the immune system's ability to fight cancer. Introduced CAR-t cells, modeled cell relations, explained gRNA, protein folding and provided activities that helped visualize or define the concepts. She was also a pretty calm and cool teacher.
SHIP and Pathways Final Presentations - Part of the program was getting to see the presentations from older interns at Fred Hutch present their findings. And while there are too many topics to discuss, seeing the students learn and specialize in the question they sought to answer made me want to participate in SHIP and Pathways myself.
Lab Tours
Part of my time at Fred Hutch was spent getting to see the building and learn about the different research being conducted. The first week we were given a tour of the facility that included the lab hallways, the skybridge and entry to the numerous buildings, ending with access to the rooftop which provided a nice view of the city.
Our second set of tours included the labs that used animal models. The animal models which we got to see were the C. elegans (worms), fruit flies, and the zebrafish. The C. elegans are transparent nematodes that are often used by researchers to study the nervous system. We got to see mutated C. elegans that could only twist in a circular motion and some that were fluorescent due to using CRISPR to highlight certain portions of DNA. At the fruit fly lab, we were shown the technique to laser small holes into the fly embryo in order to see cell division and wound healing. We also got to compete to see who could sort male and female fruit flies the fastest. The last animal model lab we visited was the zebrafish lab. Through microscopes we looked at zebrafish embryos and got to differentiate between normal fish and those that had mutations that caused a stubbier tail growth. We also got to see the filtration system and numerous fish.
Overall
I am very glad that I was able to participate in the program, because it gave me access to labs and taught me about things that I probably would’ve never learned on my own. It also furthered my interest in biomedical research, while opening my eyes about opportunities that I could pursue in highschool and beyond. With the final reassurance of all the memories that I will have of the wonderful people there.
Also shoutout to Winston the Wasp.
Comments