My mentors Dr. Greene and Fran with me after my Honors Thesis defense!
Author: Devan Mishra | Major: Biochemistry | Semester: Spring 2024
During the Spring 2024 semester, I finalized and successfully defended my honors thesis research in Dr. Greene’s Cachexia Laboratory within the Exercise Science department. Cancer cachexia is an extreme weight loss and muscle wasting syndrome that affects ~ 50-80% of all cancer patients. This syndrome cannot be reversed through nutritional support and ultimately leads to functional impairment and reduced effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. The overall goal of our current study is to examine the effects of the genetic targeting of two genes (BNIP3 and OPA1) in cancer-induced mice. The specific aims of my research are to utilize our Nikon Eclipse Ti-S inverted epi-fluorescent microscope, MATLAB software, and mitochondrial respiration analysis tools to quantify and analyze different aspects of mitochondrial health, which precedes the loss of skeletal muscle mass seen in cancer cachexia. Our hope is that the targeting of BNIP3 and OPA1 will mitigate the effects of cancer cachexia, which could lead to the development of possible gene-targeted therapeutics in the field of cancer research and other chronic conditions associated with cachexia.
I first came across Dr. Greene’s work when looking for a research lab to work in during the summer after my freshman year of college. As a biochemistry major with a passion for medicine and fitness, I was drawn to the Cachexia Laboratory’s focus on the unique relationship between metabolic functions and its impact on skeletal muscle once diseases like cancer occur within the body.
During this semester, I was able to wrap up MitoTimer imaging and data analysis for the remaining animals in our study. As a result, most of my time in the lab was focused on learning and running Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiments to determine the effect of the BNIP3 knockout and OPA1 overexpression on the expression levels of other genes responsible for regulating mitochondrial health and dynamics, which served as the final piece of data added to my honors thesis. Much of this process involves delicate precision and attention to detail, as one must micropipette samples into 94 different microwells on the PCR plate. Because a different sample goes into each microwell, it is important to keep track of the samples placed into each respective well, as losing track of this can result in repeating the entire plating process, which can take anywhere between 45 min – 1 hr 30 min. While I have certainly been subject to this, I learned to situate myself in the present and separate the process from the results to be obtained, as combining these two will only lead to impatience and increasing the likelihood of losing track of your sample placement on the plate.
Additionally, much of my time spent outside of lab was focused on drafting and presenting my honors research. Despite going through many iterations of both drafts and presentations, I would not change my experience throughout this process. Both Dr. Greene and my mentor Fran have been invaluable in my development as an undergraduate researcher and academic writer, as they helped guide and point out the areas in my writing that needed improvement, while holding me up to the same standards they carry when writing academic papers of their own. I have such a deep appreciation for them and the Cachexia Lab as a whole, as they have given me the chance to continue growing and developing as an undergraduate researcher and student. Their endless support and guidance was critical in my successful honors thesis defense in April, along with my poster presentation at the Undergraduate Chemistry Research Symposium.
Having graduated from the U of A in May, I plan to take a gap year and work as a Medical Assistant as I apply for medical school.