Research Department: Cell Biology Graduation Date: May 2019
Abstract: The mycproto-oncogenes undergo a variety of molecular aberrations in human cancers and their overproduction upregulates the expression of metabolic and cell proliferation genes. Under cellular stress, our laboratory has shown that full-length MYC is cleaved by calpain proteases into cytoplasmic MYC-nick. The role of MYC-nick in the regulation of metabolism has not been thoroughly investigated. A metabolomics screening by our lab found a significant increase in purine metabolites and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate levels in HO15.19 myc -/- rat fibroblastcells overexpressing MYC-nick. Manning et al. (2017) demonstrated how purine sensing by mTORC1 is integrated into a regulatory framework for anabolic signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that the increase in purine metabolites seen serves a unique signaling role in the modulation of the mTORC1 pathway.
. What does research mean to you? To me, research is a form of scholarly inquiry, but it is also the means by which we probe the unknown. In that sense, I believe research, whether it be in basic science or any other field, is as rewarding an experience they come. I also believe that basic science research can have significant implications clinically. The frontline drugs used today to treat a whole host of diseases are the products of years of in vitroand in vivotesting, and the medicine of the future is already being synthesized in basic science labs all around the world. To this end, there is no way to overstate the value of translating basic science findings into clinical efficacy.
Tell us about your journey. My experience with the Green Fellowship was one of my first experiences working in a research lab with translational applications. It was exciting to see, over time, how both my own project and other projects going on in the lab could have implications for how clinical care is applied years from now. I was not completely familiar with the necessary techniques upon first entering the lab. The learning curve was, admittedly, very steep. With diligent mentoring by my lab members, I was able to fine tune my grasp of these techniques and quickly became a productive member of the lab. I definitely had my fair share of unsuccessful experiments, though. But as any scientist would tell you, failure is just a part of the game. These failed experiments motivated me to figure out what may have gone wrong, or if there was some aspect of the puzzle I wasn’t seeing clearly, and to modify future experiments accordingly. In doing so, I began to gather the type of consequential data that advanced my project forward. After having completed the Green Fellowship, I hope to include basic science research in my career path.
Advice for Future Green Fellows
Dedicate as much time as you can to the research experience at UT Southwestern! The most rewarding aspect of the fellowship is being able to fully immerse yourself in your work, so make sure you do just that. Thoroughly read up on the literature surrounding your project and truly make it yourproject. Observe your mentors diligently and make sure to always ask any questions you may have! Also, be on the lookout for any interesting talks on topics that appeal to you. One of the benefits of being a part of the research community at UT Southwestern is being able to take in the enormous diversity of research occurring on campus. And finally, don’t be afraid of failure. Every successful scientist has failed, likely multiple times. Learn from each experience, and use that knowledge to shape how you approach your project in the future.