My name is Sophie Pham, and this summer I was able to be a part of the Explorers program, a two-week introduction to cancer research opportunity at Fred Hutch! Every moment at this camp has been super eye-opening and fun with a huge variety of activities. Like trying out new tools and techniques in the training lab and making memories with new friends playing a million games of Mafia.
Specifically, one of my favorite things we did was the CML Blood Spot Lab that we did on the second to last day of the program. During our lab introduction, we learned about chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which is a type of cancer where mature white blood cells mass reproduce at a concerning rate. It also involves the translocation, a type of mutation, of Chromosome 9 onto Chromosome 22, producing a new type of Chromosome: the Philadelphia Chromosome.
We also learned about how, while researchers were able to easily diagnose and treat CML, they ran into another issue: how to diagnose those in low to middle income countries that aren’t able to easily access the diagnosis technology. Eventually, the solution arose by taking a blood test at a nearby clinic, making a blood “spot”, shipping the spot to a facility like Fred Hutch, rehydrating the sample, and testing it for the Philadelphia Chromosome.
Image of a page about Spot On CML from my lab notebook
In the training lab, we were able to recreate the last two steps of the process, and tried to determine which samples out of four given ones were positive for CML. We were able to find this out with the use of gel electrophoresis, which is a technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size and charge. Gels showed whether fluorescent bands were present, which helped to determine the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome.
In our gel electrophoresis, we had six wells, which we inserted a variety of samples into. In the first well, we put in the DNA ladder; in the second we put the positive control; in the last four we put different blood samples that we had rehydrated using water. Image below.
Based on our results, we were able to see a fluorescent band on the 2nd and 4th blood sample, meaning that those samples were the ones that tested positive for CML. Although it seemed like a bit much at first, conducting this experiment with the help of my peers and TAs made everything a lot less daunting and a lot more fun.
Being surrounded by people I’ve grown so fond of during the past 9 days has been an incredible experience and I've created so many memories that I won’t forget anytime soon. From listening to a range of lectures from incredible volunteers to long walks to labs. Also eating lunch at the rooftop in the Arnold building to getting voted out first round in Mafia, the community that's built within Fred Hutch is one that's genuinely special in its own way. The last two weeks have flown by, and I know saying goodbye to everyone I’ve met won’t be easy.
PCR Spot Check
Visual interpretations of results from a lab at Fred Hutch!
Dye Indicator Lab Gel Electrophoresis/Work Area Setup!
Comments