BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE INC
Grant: $26,806 - National Institutes of Health - Jun. 2, 2009
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Award Description: The purpose of this supplement was to support 3 summer students who were interested in careers in research. This was the first experience for 2 of these individuals and 1 was continuing his honors thesis in the lab. Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death due to gynecologic malignancy and accounts for nearly one-fourth of all female deaths from cancer. Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in males between the ages of 15 and 34. Since 1992 and with the support of this grant, we have generated important mammalian models to study ovarian, testicular, and adrenal cancer development and defined major growth regulatory pathways involved in gonadal physiology. Mice deficient in the TGF? family member inhibin develop ovarian, testicular, and adrenal cancers with 100% penetrance, implicating inhibin as a key negative regulator and tumor suppressor in preventing these types of cancers. The Specific Aims of our parent grant are as follows: 1) Define the physiologic roles of the retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor in granulosa cell and Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation; 2) Determine if the RB protein is a genetic modifier of tumor development in the inhibin ? (Inha) knockout model; 3) Establish the relative roles of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in granulosa cell and Sertoli cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumor development; 4) Characterize the alterations in cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion, and responsiveness to LH that occur early in the transformation of granulosa cells into cancer; and 5) Understand the roles of activin signaling pathways in gonadal cancer development and the cachexia-like syndrome in inhibin-deficient mice. During the first three years of the current grant period, we have characterized single and double knockout mice lacking inhibin ??, RB and/or LH?. We have made significant progress on these Specific Aims and have already published 17 papers. In this ARRA application, we are requesting supplemental funds to support 2 undergraduate students and 2 high school students to work side-by-side with current members of the Matzuk laboratory for the summer of 2009. This supplement should create 4 jobs for these students who otherwise would be unemployed. It will also accelerate the tempo of cancer research in the Matzuk laboratory, in particular ovarian cancer research, including publication of key papers in anticipation of submission of our renewal application for funding in 2011. Specifically, the students will focus on helping us to complete Specific Aims 4 and 5 of the parent grant. Activities of the students will involve both wet lab and computer-based activities. In addition, these experiences will help to train the students for future careers in cancer research. The goals for the students during the summer will be to help us to generate data that will allow us to complete two manuscripts for Specific Aims 4 and 5.
Project Description: As defined in the Award Description field
Jobs Summary: Summer Project Intern position for up to 15 weeks. The internship requires at least 1 year laboratory experience and at least 3 years of undergraduate education. The position involves research with mouse models of ovarian cancer. Significant molecular biology techniques will be utilized. This position is for 40 hours per week. Student Helper I • Duties: ? Under immediate supervision, follows clearly established procedures in performing routine, repetitive duties requiring a small amount of decision-making. ? Duties may include, but are not limited to: filing, typing, answering phones, cleaning equipment, and running errands. • Qualifications: ? No previous training or work experience is required. Individual should be at least a junior or senior in high school and be 16 years of age or older. The Project Intern position involves research with mouse models of ovarian cancer and learning molecular biology techniques and computer skills relevant to studies in ovarian cancer. Required: At least one year of undergraduate education completed. No experience required. (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: More than 50% Completed
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