Exploring the Role of Collagen Genes in Head/Neck Cancer Tumor Micro-environment

Haneen Makki, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biology 

The capstone process was a rewarding and challenging experience. At first, I was somewhat anxious and overwhelmed about taking on such a complex subject, but I also had tremendous hopes.

My project examined the function of collagen genes (COL4A1, COL5A1, and COL6A1) in the tumor microenvironment of head and neck cancer. I was initially concerned about understanding the methods used in computational biology and the extent of the required research. However, as I delved deeper, I became fascinated by collagen's intricate role in cancer development. Each new piece of information reinforced my determination to tackle the challenges and expanded my field knowledge.

During the study, I learned a lot about head and neck cancer, particularly about the role that tumor form plays in medication resistance. Desmoplasia, the tumor's protective environment, is produced by collagen fibers and reduces the efficacy of treatments. Understanding how different collagen genes impact this structure could result in more effective treatments.

My team and I utilized computational biology techniques to analyze gene expression data and assess the influence of collagen genes on patient outcomes and overall survival rates. Witnessing how biological data could be converted into valuable insights regarding cancer treatment was remarkable.

The discovery of the connections between various kinds of cancer was one of the biggest surprises of this procedure. Our research was a component of a broader investigation that looked into collagen expression in skin, lung, breast, brain, and head and neck malignancies. This helped me understand the wider ramifications of our findings and how studies conducted in one medical sector might influence others. I was also taken aback by the degree of cooperation required for study. I felt a sense of purpose and saw the importance of teamwork in the research field while working with other teams and contributing to a more significant scientific endeavor.

My capstone project aided in my personal development in unexpected ways. I became more confident in my ability to address challenging scientific problems and realized that it is more effective to rise to the challenge than to retreat. As I witnessed the results of my efforts, my initial anxiety and self-doubt slowly transformed into enthusiasm. Due to this experience, my interest in cancer research has grown, reaffirming the value of tenacity, teamwork, and critical thinking in scientific research.

The Effect of Tau on Cervical Cancer Cell Cycle and Neuroblastoma Cell Cycle

Sandi Kelada, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Biology

At the start of my research journey, I wanted to be involved with cancer research. However, I was unable to find a position in a cancer research lab. I was also interested in neuroscience but was not sure of all the opportunities here at CSI. When one of my professors connected me with Dr. Alonso, I learned of all the projects she has been working on with Alzheimer's disease, which I found fascinating. She asked me to decide on what I would be working on and as I was researching the options, I came across new literature discussing correlations between Alzheimer's disease and cancer. I was very excited to explore this further because it combined my cancer interest with neuroscience. I presented this to Dr. Alonso and she loved the idea and I was very grateful that I could explore this new link further.

My overall capstone experience was very positive. I learned many new things and was pushed outside my comfort zone. Researching this new correlation was at times challenging since these discoveries were relatively new. However, I was pushed to work harder and collaborate with other people as well as my mentor in order to construct my methodology and perform my experiments. I am very grateful for all the people that helped me and were there for me during this journey and how they were always available to answer any questions I had. This experience also increased my knowledge and love for biology and its relevance in medicine. I learned about and studied major disease processes that are common, and it I saw the relevance of research and how drives clinical medicine.

While I was able to gather many data in this project, there is still more to be done. Further research looking at other cancer cell lines could include studies that could be compared with one another. Additionally, staining protocols as well as techniques such as western blot are necessary to determine the biochemical bases of these correlations. Additionally, statistical tests could also be done to figure out the significance between the different cancer cell lines. More research needs to be done to find out the reasons behind the differences in the intensity between them.

Ultimately, I am very grateful that I had this research opportunity. It not only furthered my research goals but has also better prepared me for a medical career. I have learned to be persistent, to ask difficult questions, and to not be afraid of asking for help when I need it. I will always remember to stay creative and innovative and explore new connections and discoveries even among the seemingly mundane.