BIO Blog

Recent studies have found that the critical role played by mitochondria in cardiac cells lies at the heart of “myocardial preconditioning”. This term refers to the period of brief ischemia and reperfusion via revascularization and oxygenation of the heart that primes the mitochondria into a stress-resistant state so that prolonged periods of ischemia in the future are much more tolerable. Effective priming results in reduced risk for cardiac infarctions and reduced rates of cardiac cell death, perhaps because the mitochondria have acquired a protective phenotype in the ischemic area. Additionally, studies have suggested that generation of ROS or Reactive Oxygen Species may play a part in signaling cardiac cells in ischemic regions of the heart to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death rather than necrosis, and in doing so, allow for partial or even full recovery of cardiac tissue. While conducting research with my mentor at the VA Medical Center over the past year, I found a significant decrease in generation of ROS in primary cardiac swine cells under hypoxic conditions (5% oxygen) as opposed to normoxic conditions (21% oxygen), results I had the opportunity to present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium this past spring. These conditions mimic in vitro what occurs in vivo in an ischemic heart, implying that ROS may act as a signaler or downstream regulator of a signaler in inducing the myocardium to hibernate.
In a similar experiment conducted by Vanden, T. et al., chick embryonic ventricular myocytes were exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a type of ROS, to mimic the effects of inducing hypoxic preconditioning. The researchers found a significantly lower level of cell death for these myocytes when hypoxia and reoxygenation were induced in the future.
Even more interesting, recent research concerning myocardial hibernation conducted by Levy R. et al. has shown its association with the septic heart. Sepsis, a systemic illness caused by bacteria and toxins and resulting in multi-organ failure, is the leading cause of death for critically ill patients in the U.S, making the hibernating model even more important. The study found that the changes seen during myocardial hibernation occur in the septic heart, and that during sepsis, cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) become “functionally hypoxic” even though plenty of oxygen is available and no ischemia occurs. So what appears to be multiple organ failure might actually be multiple organ hibernation, and play an adaptive or protective role.
I find this research fascinating and highly applicable to cardiac care as well as my future career area of interest, cardiothoracic surgery. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been working on ring studies with my mentor. The LAD or left anterior descending artery (the site of constrictor placement to induce ischemia) and circumflex were isolated from revascularized pig hearts, and vascular constriction was measured at resting conditions and stressed conditions with the addition of ET-1, a well-established vasoconstrictor. What we’re seeing is amazing and difficult to interpret. In the coming weeks, I’m hoping to try to get a handle on how to analyze iTRAC data and proteomics in order to begin to get an understanding of what we’re observing – should be exciting!

Posted by Xiaoying Lou at 07:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It’s hard to believe that freshman year has already flown by. I finished last semester with a much better handle on Organic Chemistry, a subject I once considered to be nightmarish, but has actually turned out to be enjoyable and surprisingly interesting. It’s fascinating how taking the time to preview chapters before class and working review problems really do help with learning new material. And along with acquiring drastically improved time management skills, wonderful memories shared with other students and faculty, a deeper understanding of my capabilities and weaknesses, I’ve also gained a better idea of how I want to spend the remaining three years of my CBS experience.

Summer is now in full swing and the new school year is fast approaching. However, I’ve already had a few fun experiences that have turned out to be quite meaningful. A few weeks ago, I got the chance to visit Shanghai, China for a couple of weeks to visit family and travel. Besides gorging myself on a variety of delicious foods at a near hourly rate, spending way too much time shopping and sightseeing, and visiting some cool historical sights, I also spent a day at the main thoracic hospital in Shanghai. My uncle, the director of the thoracic surgery department there, was willing to let me shadow him as he spent the day performing lung surgeries and observing his residents. The learning experience that followed provided me with a valuable glimpse into medicine performed under a health care system very different from the one here.

Upon entering the hospital, the first thing I noticed was the sheer number of people -everywhere. Practically all the seats in the waiting areas were occupied, and on every floor, I could see dozens of smokers. This seemed very ironic to me, since it is a pulmonary hospital that specializes in thoracic cases and lung cancers. I was very tempted to explain to these individuals the error in their ways, but my uncle cautioned that in China, smoking is so ingrained in the cultural identity of a large portion of the public that it will likely take years before the behavior can be lessened to any extent. As my uncle and his residents checked up on their patients during morning rounds, I was free to wander the halls a bit and take in the sights of the hospital. Nurses were dressed in crisp and spotless white gowns (the kind seen in old movies), and doctors wore their signature white coats over formal business attire at all times. What struck me as very odd was the virtual nonexistence of doctor-patient confidentiality. No dividers were present within patient rooms, and I often saw doctors discussing matters with patients and their families or performing brief examinations while other patients were still in the room. But, I guess that’s about as private as it can get in a hospital that serves so many people.

However, the twelve operating rooms in the hospital, I found, were very similar in setup to ones I have been in before, boasting the newest technology and the most advanced surgical techniques like laparoscopy. Sterile instruments were set up neatly by the carefully draped patient. Even the same brand of scrub-in soap was used for each procedure. I watched in awe as my uncle performed lung biopsies to identify suspicious masses in the lung, and perform pneumonectomies and lobectomies. I even got to see his “patented” method of removing lung tissue. Using laparoscopy, he inserted a sterile glove through a tiny incision into the thoracic cavity, placed the lung tissue into the glove by viewing the monitor, and dragged the glove out of the incision. After a day of observation of both my uncle’s procedures and those of his peers, I realized that no matter the culture or the health system, attention to detail and to quality patient care remain the most critical components of effective medical care. Returning to the United States, I brought back with me an appreciation for the rich cultural history and traditions of China, and amazement at the remarkable pace of advancement of a China that is continuing to develop and prosper.

Posted by Xiaoying Lou at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am a CBS sophomore still figuring out what exactly I want to do with the rest of my life. To help gain some perspective, I have decided to participate in the Learning Abroad Center’s MSID Ecuador program, where I will be studying and interning with a nonprofit organization related to health care from August through May. Back at the U, I am participating in the Community Engagement Scholars Program, and I am enrolled in the Dual Degree Program between CBS and CLA. My intended majors are Microbiology and Spanish Studies. Someday I hope to be in a helping profession, possibly health care.

Posted by CBS at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The heart is a magnificent organ –simple in function, yet intricate in composition. Whenever I see the heart at work lying exposed on the operating table, I find myself deeply awed by its beauty and elegance. At first glance, the heart appears so vulnerable, but it is in this deceiving simplicity that this tough pump works so efficiently to circulate the blood within our bodies.

I discovered my interest in the heart at a young age, one that continues to grow every time I enter the operating room. In conducting research with my mentor, Dr. Rosemary Kelly, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the VA hospital, I’ve found a perfect blending of my fascination with the heart and cardiac surgery as well as my desire for learning and new challenges. Dr. Kelly is currently interested in the effects of revascularization of the chronic hibernating myocardium on the reversal of reduction in regional function and normalization of bioenergetic adaptations of the mitochondria. While this seems like a mouthful, it’s actually quite a comprehensible concept. As a surgeon by profession, she is interested in learning why the heart conditions of some patients are significantly bettered following revascularization or cardiac bypass procedure, while others remain constant or worsen. It is known that in patients with chronic ischemia, cardiac muscle cells revert to a chronic “hibernating” state, neither dying nor functioning at normal rates. Dr. Kelly hypothesizes that the ability of these cells to regain function after revascularization has something to do with the mitochondria. To test this hypothesis in an animal model, Dr. Kelly induced ischemia in pigs with the placement of an occluder in the LAD followed by revascularization after several weeks and a series of tests to identify similarities and differences between successful and unsuccessful cases. The goal is to identify specific uncoupling proteins that may be significant factors in determining success rates.

To complement Dr. Kelly’s study, I will try to conduct a cell-based model with the help of Dr. Jesus Cabrera to see whether the results found at the organism level can be replicated at the cellular level. I will begin by growing smooth muscle cells in hypoxic and normal conditions, testing for differences in protein content and expression levels, and seeing whether cells grown in hypoxic conditions can regain cell function. I will also attempt to culture cardiomyocytes, a formidable challenge, as these cells tend to become fibroblast and lose function soon after they are collected.

As I delve deeper into the research lab, I find that I have many more questions than I will probably have time to answer. I wonder about how to effectively isolate cardiomyocytes and culture cardiomyocytes for a long enough period so that actual tests can be conducted. I wonder what exact proteins and differences can be found between cells that can regain function and ones that don’t and whether certain drugs can have an effect on this ability. While I know research takes great quantities of time and patience to complete, I am excited to continue working in the lab this semester. I am motivated by the knowledge and experiences I will undoubtedly gain and hopeful about the major implications this study can have for the future of bypass surgery.

Posted by Xiaoying Lou at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As the end of the semester approaches, these last few weeks of school are a whirlwind of meetings, projects and exams, exams, exams. Regardless, I still make time to go cardboard sledding, ice skating, dancing… life is short.

This is my first legitimate post. So much has happened this semester. I’ll talk about a few of the things that stand out in my mind for the purpose of giving you a little introduction to who I really am. I plan to post more or less regularly in the spring.

Fall Tidbits:

1. The Wake takes off:
This was my first semester as Editor-in-Chief of The Wake Student Magazine. There are a lot of gory details I could bore you with, as I am sure you can imagine. It suffices to say that this semester we created a new science section called “Mind’s Eye,” which has so far covered a wide breadth of topics including global warming, conservation, video game reviews, and sex education. This has defiantly been a learning semester for me with The Wake. I’ve always been disdainful of the term “leadership skills,” but it turns out that being a leader requires plenty of sweat, tears, and concentrated effort. Next semester is going to be really great. We are working on completely redesigning our website and kicking off the semester with a panel discussion, the topic of which yet remains undecided – something science related, perhaps! www.wakemag.org – check it out!

2. Frog Communication:
This semester I began working with Prof. Mark Bee from the Ecology department. I have been running some tests to see which sound frequencies a certain species of female frog responds to when injected with progesterone and another hormone, to simulate breeding season. This research fits into a broader topic of animal acoustic communication. I am planning on continuing to work with Mark next semester and into the summer – at which time there will be a field component to the work. We’re going to be going out between 9pm and 2:30 am to capture frogs from the field! Now that’s the sort of thing that really gets my blood pumping.

3. Organic Chemistry is awful.
It’s not really that hard, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Word for the wise: make sure you have enough time to dedicate to this class when you register. First semester as editor of The Wake is incompatible with the first semester of Ochem. Ah well, you live and you learn.

Complaining aside, I’ve had another great semester at the UMN, and am looking forward to many more. I have so many wonderful and supportive friends, professors and advisors. I feel intellectually challenged and stimulated. Sometimes, going into finals, it can be hard to be thankful for the challenging nature of my classes, but it’s not so bad if I try to see the forest though the trees.

Peace,
Alice

Posted by Alice Vislova at 02:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was riding the campus connecter the other day when I noticed a sticker on the seat in front of me. Like some gift that arrives when it’s least expected, this particular sticker came to me at a much-needed time, after an overly long and tiring day of classes. In simple block letters, it read, “Life is too beautiful to give up”. And while I usually don’t take random stickers I find to heart, this quote seemed to stick. I find myself looking more and more closely at the world around me.

In Biology 2002, we worked on a fluorescent microscopy lab. We stained cells from an “immortalized” mouse cardiac fibroblast cell line with phalloidin, anti-tubulin antibody and DAPI to identify actin, tubulin and DNA nuclei, respectively. After staining the cover slips containing the cells ourselves, we got to look at our slides underneath a fluorescent microscope. The fluorescent microscope sends light through a filter, illuminating the cell sample with light within a narrow band of wavelengths. Some light is absorbed, while other wavelengths of light are emitted. Each cell, appearing unimpressive at first glance, is in fact, a beautiful and intricate array of organelles, observed in radiant color under the fluorescent microscope. I was astounded by the amount of detail I could see, in something as seemingly simple as a cell.

As I walk around campus, I take the time to admire the shades of oranges and yellows and reds surrounding me. I take the time to watch the leaves fluttering in gentle breezes and listen to their soft rustling. I take the time to notice the brilliant blue of the sky with only thin wisps of clouds floating past, or the way the sun glints off the downtown skyscape, making light appear to dance on glass.

Life gets complicated and hectic; disappointments and occasional defeats are inevitable. But if I take the time to observe my surroundings and let the simplicities of life amaze me, I find happiness.
Finding beauty in the simple things - that, I believe, is what really makes life infinitely fascinating and ultimately, truly meaningful.

Posted by Xiaoying Lou at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It’s hard to believe that my first semester of college is already half over. At times, it’s been completely stressful and utterly exhausting, like I’m drowning in a mixture of emotions - uncertainty and frustration swirling all around me. And other times, I feel strangely under control, accepting of the person I am and optimistic about the future I see for myself. In many ways, college is what I’ve always thought it would be - an opportunity to develop my independence and meet some amazing new people while partaking in some crazy adventures. In other ways, my first few months in college have definitely provided me with a much needed reality check. I’m still slightly shocked by the amount of work I must put in to receive even a decent score on an exam, and I know it’s not going to get any easier. It’s a constant struggle trying to balance work and play while devoting time to pursue my goals and dreams.
I’ve realized these past few months that I need a bit of time to myself everyday. This is not only good for maintaining my sanity, but it’s also a great way to reflect on what I’ve done and what I still desire to do. I just sit and listen to some calming music and take the time to dream. I try to keep in mind that I have places I want to go, things I want to do and accomplish and experience in life. In the jumble of everyday stresses, I tend to lose track of that sometimes. Life is hard right now, but I’m hopeful I’ll find my way in the end.

Posted by Xiaoying Lou at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a famous though experiment about the nature of quantum mechanics known as Schrödinger’s Cat. In this experiment a cat is placed into a box along with a radioactive isotope and a canister of hydrogen cyanide hooked up to a Geiger counter. The isotope has exactly a 50% chance of decaying in an hour. Should it decay, the Geiger counter is programmed to open the canister releasing the gas and thereby killing the cat. At the end of an hour, without looking into the box, all we can know about the cat is that it is in a superposition, simultaneously dead and alive. Science it seems, has found itself in a similar position to that infamous cat, both relevant and irrelevant in today’s society. However, unlike in the above situation there are two groups debating over what is to be done to save the cat. One group wants to alter the experiment to better the odds the cat survives, the other group seems content to sit back and let the whole thing ride. Recently I was present when these two factions once again butted heads.
On September 28th the Bell Museum hosted “Speaking Science 2.0: The Road to 2008 and Beyond.” The featured speakers were Chris Mooney of SEED Magazine, Matthew Nisbet an Assistant Professor of Journalism at American University, P.Z. Myers Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota Morris and Greg Laden, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
First up were Chris and Matt, who had excellently choreographed a tag team presentation about the need for scientists improve their ability to communicate with non-scientists. Chris laid the framework about how scientists are trained to talk to other scientists, something they do very well, but usually leave the public in the dark. Matt spoke on the change in the media to a format that is not conducive for long discussions on weighty scientific topics as well as how the increasing fragmentation of the media allows people who have no interest in science to ignore it altogether. Chris returned with the argument that to combat this ambivalence to science, science must be recast as something that is personally meaningful. He related this to the ongoing “debate” on global warming by indicating that to overcome the campaign of misinformation, science must highlight both the economic and moral implications of ignoring our impact on the environment. Matt rounded out their argument by emphasizing three points that he feels are necessary to regain the public’s trust and respect: message discipline, increased access to local news and community connections and facilitating incidental exposures to science.
Greg Laden then stood for the opposition. The general thrust of his largely unconnected arguments was that there is an anti-science movement that was attacking science in government, schools and society in general. He asserted that scientists are in fact good communicators, but that because the K-12 educational system has been gutted of most of its scientific content, and because of that the public is essentially incapable of understanding what it is that scientists are saying. He painted a pretty grim picture about the state of this “Culture War,” but towards the end of his time Greg did offer the fairly rosy statement, “Science will be the primary philosophy that people will use in their lives.”
The anchor of the debate, P.Z. Myers came out strongly against framing, saying at one point that, “Framing is a way to convince someone who doesn’t know anything to trust you,” and that trust is the antithesis of science. Instead he argued that the popular science model of trying to get information out to the people was the preferred method. Education, he averred, was this nation’s salvation. After presenting some disturbingly low figures about how many Americans believe in evolution he spent much of the rest of his time railing against religion’s influence on society and the need for the public to divorce itself from its corrosive effects.
There were a number of questions from the audience and much light-hearted ribbing by both sides, but it was unfortunately clear that nothing had been decided, nor anyone persuaded from their original position. As I walked home, I mused over the debate. Both sides made some thoughtful arguments, and having experienced K-12 education as recently as I have, I was certainly sympathetic to Greg and P.Z.’s line of reasoning, but I ultimately had to side with Chris and Matt. It seemed like framing science was a lot like giving a fun demonstration with liquid nitrogen and various acid/base combinations to grade-schoolers, and the path Greg and P.Z. advocated was more akin to smacking the above children with a copy of The Origin of Species. Furthermore, and most importantly, Chris and Matt presented very clear, concise steps to achieving their ends, Greg and P.Z. didn’t seem to do much more than declare war on religious fundamentalism.
I agree that science is in danger. I agree that there are people out there who want to discard heliocentrism and bring back humors. However, if science is Schrödinger’s Cat then those Luddites are the radioactive isotope, and I would much prefer giving the cat a gasmask to poking at the isotope.

Posted by Burke Bourne at 06:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can’t believe it…we are over a fourth of the way through the semester…time really flies. Do you ever have those crazy weeks where you look at your planner filled with mid-terms, papers, projects, readings and other commitments, and you go “how will I ever get through this week?” Yet somehow, you do. Friday rolls around and you look back and realize that it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. That is what this week has been for me: challenging yet motivating to better tackle those next set of waves.

Posted by Temilola Abdul at 01:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think that the gap between scientific research and the public is very vast, which, in my eyes, is unacceptable. Even when the scientists' findings occasionally reach the ears and eyes of regular citizens and policy makers, they’re often distorted or de-emphasized. I would ultimately like to play a role in adequately bridging this gap. After graduation, I am hoping to go to graduate school to study science writing, and from there go on to work for a popular magazine with a scientific inclination. My dream job would be to work for New York-based Seed Magazine. For now, I am working in an immunology laboratory studying the behavior of regulatory CD25+CD4 T cells.

Posted by CBS at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My work in the field of biology ranges from reforesting areas of the Great Plains, to combating the scourge of soybean aphids to my current position, studying chimpanzee territorialism. I’m interested in pursuing a career in either primatology or science journalism.

Posted by CBS at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the youngest in a family of six. I immigrated to America eleven years ago, when I was nine years old. I am currently a senior majoring in biology and minoring in theatre.

Posted by CBS at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm a College of Biological Sciences freshman this year, and I plan to major in biochemistry and minor in business management. In the future, I hope to attend medical school, eventually pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery.

Posted by CBS at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The French organization Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) has gained much notoriety for its humanitarian healthcare efforts. The group sends volunteer physicians to areas in desperate need of health care services. A new College of Biological Sciences student group, launched this spring, is adapting the model for biology students eager to travel, gain experience and make a contribution.

Biology Without Borders (BWB) was formed to fill a niche for students interested in a more intensive, volunteer-based travel abroad experience. They began planning their first trip this spring.

Anh Tran, Jared Liebelt and Tiffany Felts are spending the month of August in Bukoba, Tanzania—a city of 80,000 located along the western shore of Lake Victoria. The trio is volunteering in hospitals and clinics in the region.

Continue reading "Into Africa" »

Posted by CBS at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)