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Second Year Students
Gianluca Arianna
Porphyrins for Cancer Cell Destruction
In nanomedicine, nanoparticles are utilized for therapeutic strategies such as drug
transport and sensitization. One widely studied nanoparticle is the porphyrin, an aromatic
macrocycle, found naturally in hemoglobin and chlorophyll. Interactions of the electron orbitals
along covalent bonding sites in the molecule give the porphyrin its enhanced optical properties
and light absorption capabilities. Consequently, porphyrins have been frequently used for
photodynamic therapy (PDT) as sensitizers. PDT is a method of cancer cell destruction in which
cells are destroyed by light radiation. Efficiency of PDT is increased by metallization of the
porphyrins to enhance light absorption. Future studies will search for new methods to irradiate
and functionalize porphyrins in order to increase their efficiency.
Christine Berrios
PKG Inhibitor Medication to Cease Chronic Pain
Pain that persists longer than the natural course of healing is known as chronic pain. A
protein known to be involved in sustaining chronic pain is protein kinase G (PKG). Research
shows that PKG is a positive injury signal in sensory neurons and responds to both nerve injury
and inflammation. Many chronic pain conditions involve a long-term hyperexcitability (LTH)
that appears in the first set of neurons in the pain pathway. LTH enhances signals to the pain
centers in the central nervous system and is associated with two types of chronic pain - allodynia
and hyperalgesia. PKG is a necessary element in the induction of the LTH. Consequently,
research is currently being done to synthesize PKG inhibitors that will alleviate chronic pain.
However, in order to achieve this, researchers must first investigate if the drugs reach the injured
cells. For the first time, a cell based assay will be used to accomplish this objective.
Diana Capalbo
Alzheimer’s Disease and Neuroinflammation
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) causes apoptosis in the brain and amyloid-beta plaque build
up. Current research demonstrates that neuroinflammation is linked to the initiation and
progression of AD. Minocycline is an anti-inflammatory drug, capable of increasing cognitive
function in transgenic AD mice. The number of activated microglia also increases with the use
of minocycline. DSP-4 is a molecule that can alter neuroinflammation through its reduction of
noradrenaline (NA), a neurotransmitter in the CNS that can constrict blood vessels. Through
administration of minocycline and DSP-4, neuroinflammation could be controlled. Future
research will investigate the interaction of DSP-4 and minocycline when administered together to
evaluate their combined efficiency in the control of neuroinflammation and AD.
Christina Casanova
Accelerated Neurological Deficits as a Result of CCS Overexpression
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease, marked by the
progressive degeneration of motor neurons within the Central Nervous System (CNS). Apoptotic
neurons had previously been linked to atrophy, weakness, and fasculations. Researchers then
aimed to further investigate how gene expression of mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD1) would
contribute to their degeneration. Responsible for destroying free superoxide radicals in the body,
mutations in this gene have been implicated as the foundation for the familial form of this
disease. Inside the nucleus of the motor neurons, mSOD1 tampers with DNA/RNA metabolism,
and then accumulates and creates toxic radicals. A stress is thus created within the mitochondria,
leading to excessive exotoxicity and apoptosis. Copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS), although not
found to play a role in the onset of ALS, is needed for copper incorporation into the cell. Its
mechanisms have been an area of investigation with regard to their role in superoxide
expression. Further investigation of the underlying mitochondrial mechanisms of this mutation
could lead to treatments that delay ALS progression.
Jessica Dhillon
The MYC Gene and its Association with Neuroblastoma
Autoregulation of the Myc gene family is a negative feedback mechanism known to
occur at high levels of Myc expression. Loss of this mechanism and consequent Myc
overexpression has been observed in human tumors, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis.
Childhood neuroblastoma is characterized by N-Myc amplification in aggressive and highly
proliferative tumors that occur in a subset of patients. The levels of target gene expression may
offer explanations for the differences in the clinical behavior of neuroblastoma and may prove to
be of prognostic significance in the future.
Jennifer Eng
The Effects of Decision Making on Children's Eyewitness Identification
A long standing question in cognitive psychology relates to the extent to which a child's
ability to use and acquire information is limited by the structural features of the taken
perspective. Several variables that potentially impact children's eyewitness testimony have been
studied. These include suggestibility, memory, decision-making and cognitive development.
Children's memories are often faulty and frequently include memories of events that never
happened. Since eyewitness testimony has implications for morality and for the practice of
justice, the interest in studying children's eyewitness testimony becomes particularly relevant.
Future studies will focus on an investigation to study children's eyewitness testimony within the
context of theoretical perspectives of moral development and decision-making theory.
Eric Lo
Role of Spo11 Alpha and Related Proteins in Recombination Meiosis
Meiosis is the essential process required for diploid eukaryotic cells to generate gametes,
or sex cells needed for sexual reproduction. Double-stranded breaks (DSB), a type of DNA
damage that fractures the DNA strands, actually have been found to initiate meiosis in yeast cells
and to propagate one of the hallmark features of this process, homologous recombination. Spo11
is one of the chief proteins that produce DSBs, but past studies have shown that only its Spo11
beta units are directly involved in creating DSBs. Its alpha units still have undocumented roles,
potentially crucial ones. Future research hopes to incorporate the Spo11 alpha protein into mice
both to test its effects and to potentially discover hidden proteins with which it interacts.
Marina Makarious
Calcium-dependence of Agonist-induced Trafficking of Neuronal Calcium Channels
Calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels triggers the release of
neurotransmitters. Mutations in these calcium channels have been shown to lead to chronic
migraines and epilepsy. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins that
transmit signals into the cell and help to regulate calcium influx into neurons by modulating
calcium channel activity. It has been reported that GPCRs can modify the number of calcium
channels in the membrane by controlling channel trafficking. There is an abundance of calcium
sensor proteins, which include calmodulin and NCS-1, in the brain that regulate ion channels.
Future research will investigate the hypothesis that NCS-1 modulates channel activity through
the regulation of its trafficking.
Matthew O’Neale
Abnormalities in the Striatum and Frontal Lobe Anatomy Contribute to Autistic Dysfunction
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by severe impairments in social,
communicative, and behavioral skills. It has garnered significant awareness in society due to a
dramatic increase in the frequency of its diagnosis in the last decade. Past research has identified
several areas of the brain, including the striatum, frontal lobe, amygdala, and thalamus as
detrimentally affected in ASD patients. Future research will attempt to map any and all affected
regions of the ASD brain so as to compare them with brain regions of normal controls in an
attempt to discover “disconnectivity.” “Disconnectivity” refers to the hypothesis that ASD
results directly from disconnections of brain regions that originate at birth. This work will bring
researchers one step closer to understanding and determining the underlying neuronal deficits
that are contributing to the proliferation of autism.
Nicole Rebusi
Evaluation of the U.S. Economy Using Gross State Products (GSP) in a Similarity Index
Economic development within the United States is not comparable in all states.
Economic growth in the U.S. is shown to generally progress from an economy dependent on raw
goods to an economy that is dependent on manufactured goods. However, the final stage in the
United States economic development does not rest on manufactured goods, but rather on
services. The Similarity Index will show that all three stages of development currently exist in
the United States and that economies move progressively through these stages. A similar study
was attempted by the founder of the Similarity Index study. However, his study used the
indicative income source. Given that income source is a volatile factor, this study in its future
research will utilize the gross state product (GSP) to replace income source. GSP is a more
reliable indicator, provided by the Bureau of Economics. An analysis of the top five, mid-five,
and the bottom five states will be performed. The analysis is expected to confirm that the
economic development in the U.S. shifts its dependency consistently through the stages of
natural resources, manufacturing, and finally services.
Adela Ruiz
The Relationship between Neuropsychological Performance and Daily Functioning in
Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Functional assessment is essential for diagnostic accuracy of such conditions as dementia
and mild cognitive impairment. Because there is uncertainty that daily function is associated with
psychological test performance, further study in this field is essential, especially with respect to
different cultures. Some researchers have reported no difference between Hispanics and nonHispanic Whites on predictability of function with neuropsychological measures; yet others have
found notable differences. Future research will investigate the ability of various
neuropsychological tests to predict self-reported functional ability in an elderly communitydwelling cohort in northern Manhattan. It is expected that the set of predictive tests of daily
function will exhibit significant variability when analyzed by ethnic/language group. The use of
neuropsychological measures to predict function is hypothesized to be more effective in Englishspeakers versus Spanish speakers. With this knowledge, new more effective types of assessment
could be constructed so as to provide equal and accurate assessment for all groups of patients.
Krishan Sharma
Using BMP-7 to Induce the Formation of Osseous Tissue from Skeletal Muscles
Over 800,000 bone grafting procedures are performed in the United States annually,
creating a demand for viable alternatives to autogenous bone, the current grafting standard in
osseous repair. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has recently been discovered to cause
the formation of osseous tissue from derived skeletal muscle cells. It has also been discovered,
however, that BMP-7 exposure must occur in vivo, and thus requires bioactive scaffolds as a
medium. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLAGA) is a scaffold that has been used heavily in tissue
engineering due to its unique features. These include its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and
osteoconductivity. Past research has delivered BMP-7 to muscle cells of various organisms via
PLAGA to successfully induce mineralization. Future research will apply BMP-7 to cells in a
controlled manner in an attempt to create new molars.