Major: Biology Research Department: Pharmacology Graduation Date: May 2020
Abstract: : WNK1 (With no lysine (K) kinase) is involved in several cellular processes such as angiogenesis, cell migration, and ion homeostasis. Recently, it has been found to be enriched in basal-like and claudin-low breast cancers. OSR1 is a kinase downstream of WNK1 and binds to WNK1 via a conserved C-terminal domain (CCT). Our lab has determined the OSR1-CCT binding motif to be RFxV/I or RxFxV/I via peptide array and has searched for proteins containing either of those motifs. The potential interactors were ranked based on factors such as protein conservation, localization and motif accessibility. We selected several proteins known to be involved in critical cellular processes, cell migration, and tumorigenesis and conducted a yeast two-hybrid screen to verify predicted interactions. These results are being validated using additional biochemical tools such as microscopy, fluorescence polarization, and co-immunoprecipitation. Confirming these protein interactions will afford us a better understanding of the WNK1 signaling pathway and its role in breast cancer invasiveness, allowing us to evaluate the therapeutic effects of new targets for drug development in the future.
What does research mean to you? For me, research provides the opportunity to uncover new connections and relationships by always asking questions. It’s fascinating to see how similar techniques can be applied in different fields to test novel ideas. Challenging yourself to be a part of scientific discoveries that could lead to better understanding of human physiology, disease mechanisms, or drug targets is both exciting and extremely rewarding. Tell us about your journey. I knew I wanted to go to graduate school after my experience in the Rutgers SURF program, which gave me the opportunity to take charge of my own research project. However, at the end of the 10-week program, I realized that there were still so many questions I left unanswered. By participating in the Green Fellowship program, I was able to work on my project for an entire semester and am still continuing my research into the summer. By taking part in a long-term research project, I was able to see my project grow and change after each experiment that I conducted. In the Cobb lab, I learned so many new techniques for predicting and testing protein interactions, and I was also able to observe or assist with other projects in the lab as well. At first, working long hours and even some weekends was a big adjustment from my usual college schedule, but I soon realized that between conducting experiments, talking to others in my lab, and attending various lectures held at UTSW, I was rarely ever bored. When putting together my poster at the end of the program, I loved seeing how all of the experiments I conducted over the course of the semester fit together to tell a story.
Advice for Future Green Fellows
Conducting your own experiments isn’t always smooth sailing, but it’s important not to be discouraged by negative results since being able to see your project evolve over time is a truly unique and rewarding experience. Additionally, take advantage of all of the events on campus at UTSW. Go to any lectures and seminars on topics you find interesting, and maybe even some covering topics you’ve never heard of before. Learning about different fields of study will always be useful to you in the future, and many events have free food :).