I enjoyed pursuing research this past semester, and encourage you to give it a go if you are at all interested!

Author: Adrienne Vaughan | Major: Biomedical Engineering | Semester: Spring 2024

Hi, my name is Adrienne! I just recently graduated from the Biomedical Engineering program here at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Over the past semester, I have had the privilege of learning about dorsal root ganglia neurite outgrowth following traumatic spinal cord injury as a part of the Therapeutic Testbed Engineering Lab under Dr. Younghye Song. I feel very grateful to have received the Honors College Research Grant, which allowed me to pursue this opportunity!

Injury to the central nervous system is a very prevalent issue, both nationally and internationally. In the United States alone, there are approximately 54 new cases of SCI per one million people each year, or 18,000 new cases annually. Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) can cause partial sensorimotor deficiency or total dysfunction, rendering patients unable to perform necessary tasks and dramatically decreasing their quality of life.

This loss of sensorimotor capabilities is due to failure of the axons to regenerate across the injury site. Following tSCI, the body bridges the lesion cavity with scar tissue. However, this fibrotic scar tissue inhibits both signals from transmitting and axons from regrowing across the wound site tissue. This is very significant since research has shown that comprehensive functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury requires axonal regeneration across wound site lesions.

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurite outgrowth is often evaluated in such therapeutic research since it can indicate neuronal growth and repair. Parameters commonly used to analyze neurite outgrowth include neurite length, alignment, and count. In vitro DRG neurite outgrowth can be examined via Scholl or SNT analyses. Partnering with the Biomedical Engineering Department and the Honors College allowed me to investigate and gain a better understanding of DRGs in general in the context of SCI, key promoters and inhibitors of neurite outgrowth, parameters currently used to quantify DRG neurite outgrowth, and finally, methods used to analyze these parameters.

If you are interested in research but unsure how to apply to join a lab, I got you! Read up on the different areas of research that UofA professors specialize in on their lab websites and find a topic you are passionate about. Often, the application process is somewhat informal, consisting of an email to the prospective research mentor stating your qualifications and interest in their lab! Don’t be discouraged if you feel you have a lack of experience/skills when applying. As an undergraduate researcher, you will be able to learn as you go. Just demonstrate a good work ethic and specific interest in their research when applying. Your research mentor will be an invaluable resource and support system throughout your studies. Don’t be afraid to bounce new ideas off them or admit when you don’t know something concerning your project—they are experts in their field. Make sure to take advantage of this incredible resource!

I am very grateful to have been a part of the undergraduate research program! Pursuing this project led me to realize that I love research, and that I want to continue studying biomedical engineering as a graduate student. If you are considering applying to join a research lab, I would encourage you to go for it! I hope to see you at the ENRC!