Graduate NIH Training in BiotechnologyTrainees
Abigail Boster
Project Description My project involves identifying and analyzing differentially expressed microRNAs in HPV-positive oral cancers. Most of the squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) result from alcohol consumption and/or tobacco use, but approximately 25 percent of SCCHN contain integrated human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA. HPV is a common, wart-causing virus that infects epithelial cells of the skin or anogenital and oropharyngeal mucosa. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and have recently been shown to be associated with many types of cancers. MiRNAs are approximately 22 nt single-stranded RNA molecules that bind to the messenger RNA (mRNA) target and either inhibit their translation or promote their degradation. We hypothesize that HPV infection alters cellular miRNA expression which in turn leads to alterations in the expression of their target genes. We investigated the expression of cellular miRNAs using two HPV-positive and two HPV-negative SCCHN cell lines. miRNA microarray results showed that five miRNAs were up-regulated and ten were down-regulated in HPV-positive SCCHN compared to the HPV-negative SCCHN. These results were confirmed by quantitative real time PCR and Northern Blotting. We will also study the microRNA expression profiles in HPV-positive and HPV-negative oral tumors, as well as normal oral tissue. Furthermore, by identifying differentially expressed microRNAs, we can learn more about the pathogenesis of HPV in oral cancer. This will allow us to apply our research to possible detection methods or treatment options for HPV-related cancers.
Courses Foundations in Biomedical Science Foundations in Biomedical Science Conference Microbial Pathogenesis Molecular Virology Comprehensive Immunology Introduction to Statistical Methods Scientific Ethics Fundamentals in Biochemical Engineering Research Seminar (present to department once a year) Departmental Journal Club (meet once a week)
Publications None Presentations Identification of Differentially Expressed microRNAs in HPV-positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN), 24th International Papillomavirus Conference, 2007.
Seminars I have attended many seminars related to infectious diseases, biochemistry, and cell biology.
Advisor
Saleem A. Khan Professor Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry University of Pittsburgh |
Biotechnology Program
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