Getting Started!

11.13.12

Last Tuesday (November 13th), I had my first real internship visit! I was extremely nervous, but also very excited because it was my first trip off campus alone. I met JP- the graduate student I am working with- and he gave me an introduction to his work. As seen in figure 1 below, the capillaries of the brain have a monolayer of endothelial cells that contributes to the blood-brain barrier. Between these cells, there are proteins called claudin-5 that serve as tight junctions between the endothelial cells and are semi-permeable. This semi-permeability allows some molecules to pass through the brain, but inhibits others. JP's research is looking for a substance that can stop the reactions between the claudin-5 proteins to allow the passage of medicines to the brain.

Figure 1

After this introduction, JP and I had an arts and crafts break, and we made models of endothelial cells out of cardboard boxes and pipe-cleaners. When we were done with this activity, he showed me the lab and introduced me to the other researchers. My first job was to help Ben (one of the other researchers) analyze the R-squared (R2) values of the most recent tests of different inhibiting proteins over a range of pH values. The R2 value measures the fit of the experimental data to the given best-fit curve. According to this data, we could determine the 'valleys' and 'peaks' of the data to determine the proteins that were working the best and worst. After examining a lot of data, we determined that we should remove the last two pH values to increase the R2 values of the data. I was taught to operate the computer program, and I accomplished this all by myself! The new graphs had much better R2 values.

Next week, I will take the safety course to get my access badge. I excitedly wait to see what next week has in store for me!

First Meeting!

11.6.12

This Tuesday (November 6th), I had my first visit to RPI to meet my mentor, Dr. K. The building I will be working in is a restricted-access building, so Dr. K met me at the door to let me in. After introductions and discussion about my interest in both chemistry and biology, he paired me with a graduate student named JP, who I will be working with in the lab. JP's research focuses on the biochemical interactions of the blood barrier in the brain, and how it inhibits the transport of drugs to the brain. This research will hopefully be applied to drug delivery for the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and brain cancer. This research aligns with my interests perfectly, and I can't wait to get involved!! I was not able to see the lab because I have to go through a bio safety course first, but Dr. K told me the main machinery that is used is a protein synthesizer, which does the work of human cells to create proteins. Next week I plan to take the bio safety course and receive a pass card that will allow me to access the building and the labs. I can't wait to start working and see this research in action!