Week 6

Week 6 has been especially rewarding! In lab this week, we performed two separate flow cytometry studies to test the purity of our cell line. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication in the first study, and we tested the purity of the wrong cell line. The cells we were supposed to be studying were primary prostate cancer cells derived from a mouse. We wanted to make sure that the cells we had isolated did not contain any human epithelial cells, mouse epithelial cells, or mouse leukocytes. We did this by labelling our cells with three different antibody-dye conjugates that targeted surface proteins that are prevalent in the possible contaminant cells. I am happy to report that our samples had high purity!

In addition to the flow cytometry studies, we performed more biodistribution studies in mice. Non-tumor bearing mice were injected with radiolabeled, prostate cancer targeting particles. We performed this study to ensure that our particles efficiently clear from the body without significant uptake in organs, such as the liver. We also performed mouse biodistribution studies using the radiolabeled particles that are currently being used in clinical trials to further validate our radiolabeling procedure.

I also met with Dr. Bradbury multiple times this week to continue our discussion on the translation of our particles to a clinical setting. We talked about the purposes of our clinical trials and the end goals we hope achieve from them. For example, she mentioned how a lot of our studies are microdosing trials to determine what concentration of our particles are needed to be effective and show that they are not harmful to patients. Our trial using the radiolabeled particles to look at tumors in the brain is being done in order to perform better tumor mapping to help improve radiation therapy to treat these lesions.

Outside of lab, my friends and I went to The Met and did another escape room! I also had dinner with a good family friend that I had not seen in about 4 years. I am sad that next week is our last one in the city, but I look forward to bringing all the knowledge I have gained this summer back to my research in Ithaca.