Semester 2: Final Post!

Well….this is it, we are now 2/3 of the way there!

 

Last semester was the first time we worked on the project, which was also new for the Chiesa lab. Our final results last semester concluded that we needed Fungicides in Nematode Growth Media, liquid and solid to properly replicate them and create a stable line. This semester we grew them in Amphotericin B 1/1000 with respect to the liquid volume. We observed no adverse effect of the fungicide on the nematodes and there were no traces of live fungi. Some traces of fungi which came when transferring, showed dead fibers and no progression. Once we established a stable line, they replicated like crazy! Leaving about 10 on friday, gave 1000 on monday! This was incredible. We continued to subculture these to reach the goal number of approximately 8000, 4000 for liquid culture containing our active neuropeptide, Neuropeptide-Y and 4000 for controlled liquid growth. We administered NPY to the experimental group at a final concentration of 1 uM and left it for 24 hours. We then collected the worms from the liquid media and isolated whole-organism proteins by sonication protein collection. These are now stored in -80 for future western blotting and protein characterization to see if NPY can activate anxiolytic molecular pathways in the model organism. We have also identified other proteins of interest which may be involved in the propagation of these pathways through our lab meetings and presenting papers. For next semester, we would like to western blot for NPYR2, CREB and ERK proteins to see if NPY can induce expression of this proposed pathway. We would also like to prove that any results are directly from NPY by adding naloxone, flumazenil, and CTAP to the media since they are pharmacological activators or blockers of the NPY receptor. 

Although I did not go to ABRCMS 2008 through Biominds, I did go through the MBRS-RISE program and must say it was an enjoyable experience. I presented my research in electrophysiology from Harvard Medical School in the Biophysics area and attended a number of incredible seminars. There were also a great number of exhibitor sessions where we were able to obtain information from schools.

As for my interviews and everything. I interviewed for the MD/PhD program at New Jersey Medical School on Oct. 17 and they told me they would respond in 4-6 weeks, so that means soon. I have an interview for the MD program at University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus on the 15th of December. And my next US interview is for the MD/PhD MSTP Program at Tufts School of Medicine in Boston. I am dying to know what will be of my future….and where I’ll be in a few months….so nervous….lol.