10/29/2018 spring 2019 tusm projects 1...faculty name email address faculty school or college...

Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title

Project Description Project

Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Abdelkarim

Sabri

sabri@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Cardiovasc

ular

Research

Center

Inflammato

ry

proteases

and cardiac

repair

In the adult heart, cell death following myocardial

infarction initiates an inflammatory reaction that removes

dead cells and contributes to scar formation and cardiac

repair. Since the regenerative capacity of the adult

mammalian heart is limited, induction of this innate

immune response could be maladaptive and compromises

cardiac contractile function. Our study uses a combination

of in vivo and in vitro model systems to define the role of

inflammatory proteases on endogenous cardiac repair and

function after myocardial infarction.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Basic cell

and

molecular

biology

techniques.

Highly

motivated

students

with sound

knowledge

in cell and

molecular

biology.

Biochemistr

y

Junior &

Senior

Adil I. Khan

PhD

adil.khan@

temple.edu

TUSM Pathology

and

Laboratory

Medicine

Role of

adhesion

molecules

in acute

inflammati

on.

In Vitro and in vivo assays would be used to investigate the

role of adhesion molecules in models of acute

inflammation.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Good

writing

skills; be

able to

work

independe

ntly. the

work may

involve a

mouse

models, so

should be

willing to

work with

live

animals.

Any science

major.

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

10/29/2018 Spring 2019 TUSM Projects 1

Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Ana

Gamero

gameroa@t

emple.edu

TUSM Biochemistr

y

STAT2

Signaling in

Cancer

STAT2 is a transcription factor widely recognized for its

role in host defense against microbial attack and

inflammation. Published work from my laboratory now

suggests that STAT2 is also implicated in cancer

development. We have evidence in animal models of

cancer that STAT2 functions to promote tumorigenesis.

Based on this exciting finding, the main objective of my lab

is determine the underlying molecular mechanism by

which STAT2 is promoting cancer development.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Strong

knowledge

of

biological

concepts

Self-

motivated

and

willingness

to work

hard Good

communica

tion skills

Able to

work well

with others

Biology,

Biochemistr

y

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior

Ana

Gamero

gameroa@t

emple.edu

TUSM Biochemistr

y

Understand

ing the Role

of STAT2 in

Colorectal

Cancer

Cancer is a very complex disease driven by multiple genetic

alterations. The focus of my research is to investigate the

mechanism by which the transcription factor STAT2

promotes tumor progression in colorectal cancer. The long-

term goal of this project is to determine how STAT2

cooperates with tumor oncogenes to enable tumor

progression, conversion of benign lesions to malignant and

metastasis. Understanding this process will lead to the

development of novel therapeutic interventions to treat

colorectal cancer.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Good

communica

tion skills,

attention

to detail

and able to

follow

directions

Biology,

Biochemistr

y

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Bassel E

Sawaya

sawaya@te

mple.edu

TUSM Neurology/

Fels

Institute

Can HIV-1

proteins

promote

premature

brain aging

Patients infected with HIV-1 suffer from learning and

memory deficit. The mechanisms leading to these

alterations remain unknown. We are in the process of

deciphering these mechanisms

TU Health

Science

Campus

Ask, Learn,

Enjoy, -

Serious,

ability to

learn and

to interact

with others

1-

Someone

who is

serious,

ready to

learn. If the

students

does not

have any

lab

All Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior

Beata

Kosmider

tug28074@

temple.edu

TUSM Departmen

t of

Thoracic

Medicine

and

Surgery

Mutation

analysis in

emphysem

a.

Two million Americans suffer from chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease, costing $2.5 billion/year and

contributing to 100,000 deaths/year. Emphysema is

caused by the destruction of alveolar wall septa, which is

associated with inflammation. Alveolar type II cells make

and secrete pulmonary surfactant and restore the

epithelium after damage. In our preliminary data we

identified 6 mutations in genomic DNA obtained from

alveolar type II cells isolated from patients with

emphysema. Our hypothesis is that these mutations may

contribute to this disease pathogenesis.

Student task and responsibility: The student will first get

training in general laboratory techniques. This person will

be involved in planning experiments with a research

group, preparing samples for DNA isolation and analyze

sequencing results. We will meet at least once every week

to discuss this project. The student will validate the

TUHSC Biology or

Biochem


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Beata

Kosmider

tug28074@

temple.edu

TUSM Departmen

t of

Thoracic

Medicine

and

Surgery

The role of

microvesicl

es in

emphysem

a.

Microvesicles are small membrane vesicles of 30–1,000 nm

in diameter that are released into the extracellular

environment under normal or pathological conditions by

different types of cells including alveolar type II cells. Our

hypothesis is that microvesicles secreted in emphysema

may contain inflammatory factors, which can induce injury

of neighboring cells. In our preliminary data, we found

higher microvesicles secretion in alveolar type II cells

isolated from patients with this disease compared to

control non-smokers and smokers. We have also identified

dysregulated expression of genes involved in microvesicles

synthesis by RNA sequencing in alveolar type II cells

isolated from patients with emphysema.

Student task and responsibility: The student will first get

training in general laboratory techniques. This person will

be involved in determining the role and mechanism of

microvesicles secretion in emphysema. The student will be

TUHSC Biology or

Biochem

Bettina

Buttaro

bbuttaro@

temple.edu

TUSM Microbiolo

gy and

Immunolog

y

Enterococc

al

pheromone

inducible

conjugative

plasmids as

virulence

factors and

disseminat

ors of

antibiotic

resistance

genes

Pheromone inducible conjugative plasmids, such as pCF10,

play a central role in the ability of Enterococcal faecalis to

cause disease. They encode antibiotic resistance and

virulence genes in addition to mediating transfer of

chromosomal determinants between strains. These

plasmids also contribute to the ability of the bacteria to

cause disease and to spread antibiotic resistance genes to

other species and genera of bacteria. The goal of the

chemistry/biochemisty projects is to characterize the

molecular mechanisms that allow the bacteria to vary the

copy number of the plasmids in response to oxidative

stress. The goal of the biology projects is to understand

how the plasmid transfers antibiotic resistance genes to

bacteria in mixed species biofilms.

TU Health

Science

Campus

desire to

learn to

design and

perform

experiment

s

independe

ntly under

guidance --

Students

are given a

scientific

question to

answer

experiment

ally. They

will be

chemistry/

biochemistr

y and

biology


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Bettina

Buttaro,

PhD

bbuttaro@

temple.edu

TUSM Microbiolo

gy and

Immunolog

y

Antibiotic

Resistance

Gene

Transfer

Mediated

by

Enterococc

us faecalis

plasmid

pCF10.

The plasmid makes helps make E. faecalis antibiotic

resistant and virulent. Current biochemistry projects focus

on characterizing how oxidative stress increases the

number of plasmids in the bacterial cell. The biology

projects focus on how the plasmid transfers antibiotic

resistance genes to other bacteria in mixed species

biofilms.

TUHSC introductor

y biology or

chemistry

courses are

sufficient

Chemistry

and Biology

Any

Brad

Rothberg

rothberg@t

emple.edu

TUSM Medical

Genetics

and

Molecular

Biochemistr

y

Crystal

structures

of

potassium

channel

proteins

Potassium channels are membrane proteins that are

critical for electrical signaling in nerve and muscle cells.

Our research is focused on crystallizing potassium channel

proteins and their regulatory domains, with the goal of

solving the structures of these proteins using X-ray

diffraction. Note: This is expected to be a training

experience, so previous experience in X-ray crystallography

is not required.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Most

important

criterion is

a strong

interest in

protein

structure

and/or

neuroscien

ce.

Previous

laboratory

experience

is

preferred,

but NOT

required.

Biology;

Biochemistr

y;

Chemistry;

Neuroscien

ce

Juniors or

Seniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Bruce

Vanett

Bruce.Vane

[email protected]

mple.edu

TUSM Orthopaedi

c Surgery

and Sports

Medicine

Study of

Risk Factors

for

Bleeding in

Knee

Arthroplast

y Patients

In this study, we will review medical record of knee

arthroplasy patients and collect the transfusion

information and other clinical information including pre-

transfusion hemoglobin, and other factors which possibly

associated with bleeding.

Then we will analyze the data to identify the risk factors

for bleeding during knee arthroplasty. Based on our

results, we will revise our criteria for ordering blood before

the knee arthroplasty and to decrease unnecessary

requests for blood before surgery.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology Sophomore

or Junior

Christopher

Thompson

ckt@templ

e.edu

Public

Health

Physical

Therapy

Quantifying

neural

activity

underlying

motor

output

This project seeks to quantify both the excitability of and

synaptic input to spinal motoneurons. For this, we use

data consisting of the discharge of several tens of

individual neurons gathered from both animals and

humans with and without neurological injury. Primary

analyses will include paired unit analyses, population

coherence approaches, and General Linear Modeling. The

student will focus on the analysis of neural data, but will

be encouraged to take part in experiments and meetings

with our national and international colleagues.

Main Relatively

advanced

knowledge

of

programmi

ng is

required.

Mastery of

Matlab is

preferred,

though

expertise in

other

languages

will be

considered.

CS,

Math,Physi

cs

Freshman,

sophomore

, Junior,

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Domenico

Pratico

praticod@t

emple.edu

TUSM Pharmacol

ogy

Dietary

lifestyle

and the

Alzheimer's

disease

phenotype

Aging and a family history for the disease are the strongest

risk factors for developing sporadic Alzheimer's disease

(AD). In particular, having a mother with AD poses an

individual at a much higher risk to develop the disease

later in life than having a father with the disease. However,

how aging and maternal factor(s) interact to modulate the

susceptibility of developing AD remain unknown. We

hypothesize that maternal dietary lifestyle during

gestation is an important element that influences the

susceptibility to develop AD in the offspring. To address

this hypothesis, we will investigate the effect of different

gestational diets on cognitive function in the offspring;

next we will study the effect of the same diet on their age-

dependent development of AD pathophysiology; third we

will determine the mechanism(s) underlying this effect.

TUHSC Highly

motivated.

Interest

and desire

to learn

new

concepts

and

techniques.

Good

knowledge

of cell and

molecular

biology.

Some lab

experience.

Biochemistr

y; Biology

Sophomore

, Junior &

Senior

Eileen Jaffe eileen.jaffe

@fccc.edu

FCCC Molecular

Therapeuti

cs

Optimizing

the

formation

of

phenylalani

ne

hydroxylas

e crystal

formation.

One overarching goal of the Jaffe lab is to understand how

anomalies in the structure and function of the enzyme

phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) contributes to

phenylketonuria, the most common inborn error of amino

acid metabolism. The undergraduate will be tasked with

optimizing protein crystallization of human PAH, with the

ultimate goal of generating diffraction quality crystals for

crystal structure determination. The student will work

under the direct supervision of a highly experience

Research Associate, Dr. Michael Hansen. The laboratory

has successfully purified sufficient wild type hPAH (and

designed variants) and Dr. Hansen has identified several

conditions resulting in 50 μm crystals using the hanging

drop vapor diffusion technique. Preliminary diffraction

data (~3.5 Å), obtained at a synchrotron light source,

suggests that higher resolution data may result from

optimization of the crystallization condition. Optimization

Fox Chase

Cancer

Center

Excellent

performanc

e in

introductor

y chemistry

and the

associated

laboratory

Chemistry

or

Biochemistr

y

Freshman,

Sophomore

, Junior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Fabio A.

Recchia

fabio.recchi

a@temple.

edu

TUSM Physiology New

pharmacol

ogical and

biological

therapies

for heart

failure and

atrial

fibrillation

The general aim of this project is to identify new

pharmacological and biological agents for the therapy of

heart failure and atrial fibrillation in experimental dog

models. These are two major pathological conditions that

affect millions of Americans and there is a pressing need

for new therapies. Research in large animal models is

called "pre-clinical" in that the related discoveries can be

rapidly translated into clinical practice.

TUHSC Interest in

the

biomedical

field and

potential

interest in

future

medical

studies. At

least the

basic

courses of

biology

biology,

bioenginee

ring,

biochemistr

y,

kinesiology

George

Smith

george.smit

h@temple.

edu

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

for

Pediatric

Research/N

euroscienc

e

Transplanta

tion of

neural

stem cells

to promote

circuit

relays in

the injured

spinal cord.

The prospects of inducing long-distance functional

regeneration of supraspinal tracts leading to connectivity

and restoration of function remain a challenge. However,

selective treatments induce sprouting, prevent dieback, or

induce short distance regeneration. These processes,

particularly sprouting, contribute to spontaneous recovery

after injury by forming relays onto propriospinal

interneurons that bypass the lesion and connect to caudal

locomotor centers. Similarly, transplantation of neural

stem cells or fetal spinal cord tissue into the lesion site is

thought to increase functional recovery by recruiting

supraspinal and propriospinal inputs to reinforce relays to

downstream motor targets. To date, some of the best

functional recovery has been observed in fetal transplants

into neonatal animals most likely through formation of

such relays. In adults, the addition of neurotrophins to the

transplant site enhanced the number of ingrowing

TU Health

Science

Campus

Basic

understand

ing of stem

cells,

immunoch

emistry,

and

molecular

biology

Neuroscien

ce, Biology,

or

Chemistry

Juniors or

Seniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Glenn S.

Gerhard

tuf81289@

temple.edu

TUSM Medical

Genetics

and

Molecular

Biochemistr

y

A new

thyroid

cancer

gene.

Cellular hydrogen peroxide is associated with cancer,

although the source(s) and precise role remains unclear.

We have identified a candidate cancer gene in a family

with a highly penetrant dominant form of papillary (non-

medullary) thyroid cancer. A predicted damaging

mutation in a transmembrane domain segregated with

papillary thyroid cancer in the family. We hypothesize that

the transmembrane mutation causes mis-localization of

the protein to the cytoplasm with inappropriate intra-

cellular production of hydrogen peroxide that

subsequently leads to the development of papillary

thyroid cancer in carriers of the mutation. Our aims are to

determine whether the mutation causes oxidative stress in

vitro and thyroid cancer in zebrafish and mice.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Team

oriented

Prior

laboratory

experience

Science

GPA --If

you work

with

zebrafish,

be

prepared

to get wet!

Biochemistr

y Biology

Chemistry

Grace Ma grace.ma@

temple.edu

TUSM Center for

Asian

Health &

Clinical

Sciences

Cancer,

CVDs,

Diabetes-

Ethnic

populations

We have over 18 ongoing studies focusing on Cancer,

CVDs, diabetes, Hypertension and HIVin underserved

ethnic minority popualtions to reduce health disparities in

clinical and community settings. Go to

"medicine.temple.edu/cah"

TU Health

Science

Campus

Good

writing

skills; be

able to

work

independe

ntly and

team

player,

motivated

and

reliable.

Any fields,

with health

science

interests

preferred

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

He Wang - He.Wang@

tuhs.templ

e.edu

TUSM Pathology

& Lab

Medicine

Compare

microvascul

ar disease

in right and

left

ventricular

wall at

different

time after

heart

transplanta

tion

Despite significant improvement in short term survival,

cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains the major

cause of death in late survival transplanted patients. The

definition of cardiac microvessel varies between authors,

but a vascular diameter < 20 um is believed to be “micro-”

by most investigators. Coronary microvascular bed is the

site where myocardial blood flow is tightly adjusted to

meet myocardial metabolic needs. Coronary

microvascular dysfunction is well documented in

hypertension, obesity, diabetes, acute myocardial

infarction, chronic stable angina, cardiomyopathies and

heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Dedicated -

previous

exposure to

histology

and

morphome

tric analysis

are

preferred/n

ot

absolutely

necessary

biochemica

l science or

neuroscien

ce

Junior or

Senior

Hong Wang hongw@te

mple.edu

TUSM Center for

Metabolic

Disease

Research

Biochemica

l basis for

HHcy-

induced

cardiovascu

lar Disease

To study how hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a medical

condition characterized by an abnormally high level of

homocysteine in the blood, causes cardiovascular disease,

the number one killer in the United States and developed

countries. HHcy is a potent and independent risk factor

for CVD. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown

and effective therapy is not available. We are the leading

laboratory in this field and the first to report that Hcy

selectively activates endothelial cell via hypo-methylation

related mechanism and will further explore the

biochemical basis of cell type and gene specific

methylation in cell and mouse disease models.

TUHSC Motivation,

carefulness -

Students

who

completed

sophomore

year.

Biology


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Hong Wang hongw@te

mple.edu

TUSM Center for

Metabolic

Disease

Research

Metabolic

disorder-

induced

immune

cell

differentiati

on

We have extensive expertise in the areas of cardiovascular

inflammation, atherosclerosis, vascular function, molecular

mechanism, and signal transduction. UPR studies will use

bioinformatics, cell biology and molecular biochemical

approaches to assess the potential mechanisms metabolic

disorder-induced immune cell differentiation. We will

examine monocyte differentiation, vascular and systemic

inflammation, and vascular cell growth control and

apoptosis. Each UPR student will be instructed by a PhD

student or a postdoctoral fellow.

TUHSC GPA

greater

than 3.4,

Cell culture

or Protein

biochemistr

y , Hard

working

and

dedicative

Biology,

Biochemistr

y,

Computer

Science

Junior

Ilker K

Sariyer

isariyer@te

mple.edu

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Neuroimm

une

regulation

of JC virus

gene

expression

in glial cells

Patients undergoing immune modulatory therapies for the

treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple

sclerosis, and individuals with an impaired-immune

system, most notably AIDS patients, are in the high risk

group of developing progressive multifocal

leukoencephalopath (PML), a fatal demyelinating disease

of the white matter caused by human neurotropic

polyomavirus, JC virus. We employ multidisciplinary

strategies to determine molecular mechanism of JC virus

reactivation during the latent period of viral infection. JC

virus replicates almost exclusively in glial cells, and its

promoter sequence, which has tissue-specific

characteristics, tightly modulates expression of viral

genome in appropriate cell types and immunoconditions

through communication with cellular factors. We

identified the alternative splicing factor, SF2/ASF, as a

potential regulator of JCV as its overexpression in glial cells

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology,

Chemistry,

Neuroscien

ce -

Previous

experience

in

biochemica

l lab

techniques

preferred.

Sophomore

,Junior,seni

or


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Ilker K.

Sariyer

isariyer@te

mple.edu

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Molecular

regulation

of JC virus

reactivatio

n in the

brain.

Patients undergoing immune modulatory therapies for the

treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple

sclerosis, and individuals with an impaired-immune

system, most notably AIDS patients, are in the high risk

group of developing progressive multifocal

leukoencephalopathy (PML), an often lethal disease of the

brain characterized by lytic infection of oligodendrocytes

in the central nervous system (CNS). Immune system plays

an important regulatory role in controlling JC virus

reactivation from latent sites by limiting viral gene

expression and replication. However little is known

regarding the molecular mechanism of this regulation. My

ongoing studies on JC virus and demyelinating disease,

PML, are focused on understanding the molecular

mechanisms involved in regulation of viral replication and

gene expression during the course of JCV reactivation in

immunocompromised individuals, discover potential

TU Health

Science

Campus

Talented

with good

work

ethics,

Biology

Pharmacy

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior

Italo

Tempera

tempera@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Post-

translation

modificatio

ns of LMP1

LMP1 is an important viral protein that is expressed by

Epstein-Barr virus, EBV, during latent infection. EBV is a

human herpesvirus that infects B cells and establishes a

persistent infection in 95% of the population worldwide.

LMP1 plays an essential role in activating B cells and

inducing cell proliferation. Targeting LMP1 is an important

strategy that the host employs to counteract EBV

infection. For example, cellular transcriptional repressors

can bind the LMP1 promoter and block the expression of

this viral protein. However other mechanisms can also

control LMP1. We recently found that the cellular protein

PARP1 can modify LMP1. PARP1 catalyzes the post-

translational polymerization of ADP-ribose on target

proteins, in a reaction called poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, or

PARylation. The incorporation of these long, negatively

charged polymers of ADP-ribose alters the function of

target proteins. Thus, we want to determine the effect of

TU Health

Science

Campus

Must have

completed

Biol 1111

Biology or

Biochem

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Jian Huang jianh@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Pathology Tracking

blood stem

cell dividing

in culture

All blood cells arise from a common precursor called the

hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) or blood stem cell. HSC is

able to differentiate into mature blood cells as well as to

replenish the pool of HSCs. Clinically, HSCs are key for

bone marrow transplantation for treating leukemia and

other blood diseases. But the number of HSC is limited in

bone marrow and cord blood for transplantation. The

study aims to develop methods that can expand HSC ex

vivo and be used to improve the outcome of clinical bone

marrow transplantations. Experimentally, we use a HSC

specific reporter (Evi1-GFP) to track HSC dividing in culture.

Then we treat HSC with a variety of factors and drugs to

test whether they can expand HSC number ex vivo. Our

major goal is to develop new clinical protocols for

expanding functional HSCs for therapeutic applications.

TUHSC This is a

good

opportunit

y for the

students

who are

interested

in the stem

cell biology

to learn

about the

best

example of

stem cell--

blood stem

cell. The

students

Biology Freshman,

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

John Elrod elrod@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Center for

Translation

al Medicine

Identificati

on of novel

sORFs in

cardiovascu

lar disease

elrodlab.or

g

It has recently become apparent that previous

computational methods used to identify genes throughout

the human genome likely missed a significant number of

small genes (small open reading frames, sORFs) that

encode micropeptides that likely play a very significant

role in physiology and disease. The overall goal of this

project is to discover new genes with novel functions and

regulatory roles in cardiovascular disease. We have begun

to establish a database containing all possible sORFs in the

genome to prioritize our search for bona fide peptide

encoding sORFs. In addition, we examining the differential

expression of sORFs in disease starting with heart failure

samples from two well characterized, clinically relevant

mouse models. All of these data will be computationally

integrated to generate a priority list for experimental

validation and evaluation.

TUHSC Priority

placed on

previously

molecular

biology

laboratory

experience.

Motivated,

hard-

working

individuals

are a must.

Any Freshmen,

Sophomore

s - Junior or

Seniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

John

Karanicolas

john.karani

colas@fccc.

edu

FCCC Molecular

Therapeuti

cs

Developing

potent

inhibitors

of RNA-

binding

protein

Msi2

RNA-binding proteins play important roles in many

different diseases, including cancer. We have designed

inhibitors of the RNA-binding protein Musashi2 (Msi2), a

key driver in pancreatic cancer. While these first inhibitors

are effective in cells, they are not yet potent enough to be

advanced into animals for further testing. Thus, we would

like to make several derivatives of these first compounds,

so that we can ultimately test whether they are effective in

animals.

FCCC Must have

completed

organic

chemistry II

Chemistry

or Biochem

Juniors or

Seniors

Jonathan

Soboloff

soboloff@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Modulation

of calcium

signaling by

changes in

STIM

expression

Increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration are a common

component of multiple signal transduction pathways

regulating a wide variety of responses ranging from rapid

events such as membrane fusion and muscle contraction

to control of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

Since Ca2+ signals typically occur in a time frame of

seconds to minutes, how Ca2+ transients can regulate

events that occur over hours to days is poorly understood.

Recent investigations from our lab have led to the

identification of Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) as a

regulator of the expression of STIM1, a required

component of store-operated Ca2+ entry, the primary

means of Ca2+ entry in non-excitable cells. A student

working in my lab will investigate how the expression and

function of STIM1 and EGR1 are coordinated in the context

of receptor-mediated signals.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Student

must be

enthusiasti

c with a

genuine

interest in

learning

research.

Prior lab

experience

would be

highly

desirable

but not

required.

Project

involves

Biology/Bio

chemistry

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Jonathan

Soboloff

soboloff@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels Cancer

Research

Role of

STIM-

dependent

calcium

signals in T

cell

differentiati

on

T cells are critical players in adaptive immunity. T cells are

made in the thymus and then released into peripheral

blood where they seek out foreign agents. One of the first

events that occurs in T cells when activated is a change in

cytosolic calcium concentration. These calcium responses

drive their differentiation into multiple differentiated T cell

subsets that control the immune response in a manner

dependent on both the duration and intensity of the

calcium signal. We utilize a combination of cell lines and

mouse models to understand the molecular events in

control of calcium signal generation and T cell

differentiation. This project would involve working closely

with senior investigators in my lab, with the potential to

learn multiple research approaches. Some prior students

have earned publications.

HSC Student

must be

enthusiasti

c with a

genuine

interest in

learning

research.

Prior lab

experience

would be

highly

desirable

but not

required.

Project

involves

Biology/Bio

chemistry

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Jun Yu jun.yu@te

mple.edu

TUSM Physiology/

CMDR

Check

point of

autopha

gy and

inflamm

ation

The precise mechanisms of ER stress-mediated

inflammation and autophagy are yet fully understood.

Nogo-B is a reticulon family protein mainly localized to ER

membrane and is highly expressed in

monocytes/macrophages. Previously, we have shown that

Nogo-B regulates ER morphology, vesicle formation and

inflammation. The objective of this study is to investigate

whether Nogo-B regulates sepsis induced inflammation via

controlling autophagy. We will (1) elucidate the molecular

mechanisms of Nogo-B in regulating autophagy and

inflammasome in macrophages in vitro; (2) define the role

of Nogo-B-mediated autophagy in acute inflammation

regulation in vivo. Our study may shed light in developing

new strategies in treating inflammatory diseases.

TUHSC Basic cell

and

molecular

biology

techniques.

Understand

ing of

human

physiology.

Highly

motivated

and

responsible

.

Biology or

pharmacol

ogy

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Jun Yu jun.yu@te

mple.edu

TUSM Physiology/

CMDR

Molecular

control of

vascular

remodeling

One of our lab's research focus is to identify novel

signaling pathways that regulate ischemia-induced

collateral remodeling and angiogenesis, one of the major

cardiovascular problems. Prohibitin-1 is a highly conserved

protein that is mainly localized to the mitochodrial

membrane and regulates mitochondria function and

vascular homeostasis. The subject of this project is to

uncover the role of prohibitin-1 in regulating endothelial

cell function and the underlying mechanism(s).

TUHSC Basic cell

and

molecular

biology

techniques.

Understand

ing of

human

physiology.

Highly

motivated

and

responsible

.

Biology or

pharmacol

ogy

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Kelly

Whelan

kelly.whela

n@temple.

edu

TUSM Fels

Institute

Role of

STIM/Orai

in

esophogeal

differentiati

on and

carcinogen

esis

Role of STIM/Orai in esophogeal differentiation and

carcinogenesis

TUHSC Student

must be

enthusiasti

c with a

genuine

interest in

learning

research.

Prior lab

experience

would be

highly

desirable

but not

required.

Project

involves

Biology/Bio

chemistry

Freshman,

Sophomore

& Junior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Laurie

Kilpatrick,

PhD

laurie.kilpat

rick@templ

e.edu

TUSM Lung

Center/Phy

siology

Regulation

of

neutrophil-

endothelial

interaction

s in

bacterial

sepsis

Dr. Kilpatrick’s research focuses on investigating molecular

mechanisms regulating pro-inflammatory signaling in the

innate immune system; particularly the role of activated

leukocytes in the development of lung injury. An

important focus of her work is examining the regulation of

leukocyte migration into the lung. Using both in vitro and

in vivo approaches, she is examining signaling pathways

which regulate leukocyte-endothelial interaction and the

control of transmigration. Her research group has

extensive expertise with different models of inflammation

in rodents and in the isolation and analysis of human

neutrophils, monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Dr.

Kilpatrick identified Protein Kinase C-delta (PKCδ) as a

critical regulator of the inflammatory response in the lung.

In translational studies, she is studying the use of directed

anti-PKCδ therapy to the lung for the treatment of acute

lung injury in a rodent model of sepsis employing

TU Health

Science

Campus

Some

previous

lab

experience,

highly

motivated

with an

interest in

research

Biochemistr

y,

Chemistry,

Biology

Juniors or

Seniors

Lee-Yuan

Liu-Chen

lliuche@te

mple.edu

TUSM Center for

Substance

Abuse

Research

&

Departmen

t of

Pharmacol

ogy

Characteriz

ation of a

knockin

mouse line

expressing

a fusion

protein of

the kappa

opioid

receptor

(KOPR) and

the

fluorescent

protein

tdTomato

(tdT) [KOPr-

tdT]

Lack of specific antibodies against the KOPR has hindered

in vivo study of KOPR in terms of localization, trafficking,

expression and signaling. My lab has generated a knockin

mouse line expressing KOPR-tdT. The project is to do

genotyping of the mice and map the distribution of KOPR-

tdT in the brain.

TU Health

Science

Campus

solid

grades,

eagerness

to learn,

organized,

some lab

experience

preferred,

experience

in handling

rodents,

perfusion

and tissue

sectioning

is a plus.

Neuroscien

ce

Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Ling Yang ling.yang@

temple.edu

TUSM Medical

Genetics

and

Molecular

Biology

Identificati

on of novel

therapeutic

approaches

to treat

metabolic

disorders

Our current research interests are 1) long non-coding RNAs

(lncRNAs) and protein-coding genes in metabolic disorders;

2) RNA or RNA targeted therapies to treat metabolic

disorders; and 3) Multi-Omics approach to dissect the

pathological process of metabolic disorders. Students will

get exposure to both bioinformatics and experimental

biology.

HSC Interested

in

metabolic

diseases.

Self-

motivated

and detail-

oriented.

Knowledge

of general

molecular

biology

techniques.

Biology,

Biochemistr

y,

Computer

science,

Mathmatic

s, or

related

majors

Junior or

Senior

LIQING JIN jinliqin@te

mple.edu

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

Pediatric

Research

Center

molecular

mechanism

s of axon

regeneratio

n in the

lamprey

spinal cord

With molecular biological techniques, we study the role of

local protein synthesis in axonal tips in axonal

regeneration in lamprey spinal cord.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Diligent -

biology,

biochemistr

y,

molecular

biology,

neuroscien

ce, etc. --

Students

are

welcome in

our center.

Medicine

or biology


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Madesh

Muniswam

y

yson@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Biochemistr

y

MCU gene

knockout

using zebra

fish model

system

We are creating a knockout zebra fish for the

mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) gene using

Crispr/Cas9. We plan to breed the homozygotes for the

MCU deletion and then use them for functional analyses.

The goal is to measure how the deletion of MCU affects

the ATP production/Calcium handling/Oxidative stress in

the mitochondria.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Prior

experience

in a

Biology/Life

Science Lab

Good

Laboratory

Practice

General

curiosity

Bio 1, Bio

2, Genetics

Biology,

Biochemistr

y,

Molecular

Biology

Juniors or

Sophomore

Mahmut

Safak

msafak@te

mple.edu

TUSM Departmen

t of

Neuroscien

ce

Understand

ing the

regulatory

roles of JC

virus

agnoprotei

n in viral

life cycle

JC virus is a human polyomavirus that causes a fatal

disease, known as progressive multifocal

leukoencephalopathy, in the central nervous system of a

sub-population of immunocompromised individuals

including AIDS and cancer patients. This virus encodes a

small regulatory protein, Agnoprotein, from its late coding

region. In the absence of its expression, this virus unable

to sustain its productive life cycle. It is a highly basic

phosphoprotein that localizes mostly to the perinuclear

area of infected cells, although a small amount of the

protein is also found in nucleus. It forms highly stable

dimers/oligomers in vitro and in vivo through its

Leu/Ile/Phe-rich domain. Structural NMR studies revealed

that this domain adopts an alpha-helix conformation and

plays a critical role in the stability of the protein. It

associates with cellular proteins, including YB-1, p53, Ku70,

FEZ1, HP1α, PP2A, and AP-3; and viral proteins, including

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology,

Chemistry,

Biochemistr

y,

Neuroscien

ce

Sophomore

s and

Juniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Mahmut

Safak

msafak@te

mple.edu

TUSM Departmen

t of

Neuroscien

ce

Investigatio

n of the

regulatory

roles of JC

virus

Agnoprotei

n in viral

life cycle

Agnoprotein is one of the important regulatory proteins of

the human polyomavirus, JC virus. It is a relatively small

and basic protein. we have recently demonstrated that it

forms highly stable dimers and oligomers. It exhibits the

ability to be released from the infected cells. The

implications of this release unknown. It appears to bind to

viral transcripts and ins involved in the splicing and nucleo-

cytoplasmic transport of these transcripts. Three

dimensional structure of this protein has been recently

resolved by our lab, confirming the involvement of

dimerization domain in alpha-helix formation. Our lab has

been heavily involved in characterization of the regulatory

roles of this protein in viral life cycle in the past and we will

to do so for the next five year. This project has been

recently funded by NIH and therefore there are ample

opportunities for any prospective student to do research

and understand the molecular mechanisms of action of

TU Health

Science

Campus

Student

with a good

work ethics

Biology,

Chemistry

Biochemistr

y

Neuroscien

ce

Sophmore

Marc A.

Ilies

mailies@te

mple.edu

School of

Pharmacy

Pharmaceu

tical

Sciences

Synthesis

and

characteriz

ation of

carbonic

anhydrase

inhibitors

and

activators

Carbonic anhydrase is a zinc metalloenzyme involved in

many physiologic processes such as cellular respiration and

transport of CO2 from metabolizing tissues to lungs, pH

homeostasis, gastric acid secretion, bone remodelling

gluconeogenesis, etc. It has 15 isozymes with different

cellular localizations and biochemical properties. Some of

these isozymes are over-expressed in various disfunctions

and diseases including cancers. We are interested to

generate isozyme-selective inhibitors and activators for

carbonic anhydrase with high intrinsic activity and in vivo

efficacy.

TU Health

Science

Campus

background

(organic

chemistry),

past

experience,

motivation

chemistry,

biochemistr

y


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Marc Ilies mailies@te

mple.edu

School of

Pharmacy

Pharmaceu

tical

Sciences

Developme

nt of drug

delivery

systems

with

enhanced

in vivo

stability

Drug delivery systems can modify the pharmacokinetics of

drugs, protect them from decomposition and control their

spatial and temporal delivery in the organism. In recent

years we were active towards the development of drug

delivery systems based on amphiphilic compounds of

different molecular weight, from simple surfactants,

gemini surfactants, lipids, dendrons and polymers. We are

currently seeking talented and highly motivated students

to develop the next generation of drug delivery systems

with enhanced in vivo stability capable of long circulation

time in the body. Students majoring in chemistry,

biochemistry and biology are welcomed. Experience in

working with cells and animal models is a plus but it is not

required.

TU Health

Science

Campus

General

knowledge

in

chemistry,

biochemistr

y, biology

and

especially

in the inter-

disciplinary

integration

of this

knowledge

is needed.

We will

train the

student in

Chemistry,

Biochemistr

y, Biology

Freshman

to Seniors

Marc Ilies mailies@te

mple.edu

School of

Pharmacy

Pharmaceu

tical

Sciences

Physicoche

mical and

biological

evaluation

of novel

carbonic

anhydrase

inhibitors

and their

pharmaceu

tical

formulation

s.

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, E. C. 4.2.1.1) are a class of

ubiquitous metallo-enzymes that catalyze the reversible

hydration of carbon dioxide: CO2 + H2O ↔ HCO3- + H+.

Sixteen isozymes are currently known, with different

catalytic activity, subcellular localization and tissue

distribution. These isozymes are involved in critical

physiologic and pathologic processes including respiration,

acid-base regulation, electrolyte secretion, bone

resorption/calcification, gluconeogenesis, tumorigenicity

and the growth and virulence of various pathogens. Some

of them are over-expressed in pathological conditions such

as edemas, glaucoma, obesity and cancer. Therefore CA

isozymes have become important targets for

pharmaceutical research. We are seeking talented and

passionate individuals to be involved in the

physicochemical and biological testing of novel selective

TU Health

Science

Campus

previous

experience

in

physicoche

mical/biolo

gical

evaluation

of organic

compounds

and their

formulation

s (e.g.

liposomes),

as well as

towards

handling

cells

Biochemistr

y, Biology

Sophomore

, Juniors,

Seniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Marion

Chan

marionc@t

emple.edu

TUSM Microbiolo

gy

The action

of dietary

phytochem

icals on

ovarian

cancer cells

Tumors constitute from heterogeneous cell populations.

Within them are a group of self renewing and

differentiating stem cells, named tumor initiating cells or

cancer stem cells (CSCs). These CSCs have been regarded

as the cause of drug resistance and metastasis. The goal of

our project is to test whether certain dietary

phytochemicals (curcumin, EGCG, quercetin, resveratrol)

and pharmaceutical small molecules (metformin,

niclosamide, thioridazine) are effective in eliminating CSC

population in ovarian cancer. Students will learn sterile

technique, pipetting accuracy, tissue culture techniques,

drug testing protocols and how to isolate human ovarian

CSCs from the cell lines A2780 and C200

TU Health

Science

Campus

Good work

ethics,

punctual,

analytical

thinking,

dexterity

Biological

Sciences

related

majors and

Chemistry

majors -

Basic/Intro

ductory

Biology

Sophomore

, Juniors

Michael

Autieri

mautieri@t

emple.edu

TUSM Physiology/

CVRC

Gene

expression

and

progression

of vascular

disease

Restenosis, atherosclerosis, and other vascular diseases

are inflammatory in nature and are regulated by gene

expression. We have found that a number of mRNA

stability proteins play a role in vascular disease. We have

generated knock out mice to some of these proteins to

test the hypothesis that mRNA stability proteins

participate in progression of vascular diseases. In this

project, the student will prepare and analyze tissue

sections from these mice by histology and

immunohistochemistry to determine if these mice are

protected against vascular disease.

TUSM manual

dexterity is

important.

ability to

get along

with

others.

ability to

follow

directions.

punctuality

,

dependabili

ty, honesty,

willingness

to learn

new

Biology,

Biochemistr

y, Pre-med,

Molecular

Biology

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Minsun Lee tug35171

@temple.

edu

TUSM Center for

Asian

Health

Addressing

Mental and

Brain

Health

Problems in

Ethnic

Minorities

Ethnic minorities including Asian Americans experience

significant disparities in receiving mental health care

despite thier existing problems due to diverse barriers.

This project is designed to examine mental and brain

helath realted problems and pattern of service use among

ethnic minority groups. Our goal is to develop intervention

strategies to enhance their service use to address the

mental and brain health related problems.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Good

writing and

data

analysis

skills; be

able to

work

independe

ntly and

team

player,

motivated

and

reliable.

Any fields,

experience

and/or

interests in

health and

social

science

preferred

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Michael

Shifman

mshifman

@temple.e

du

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

Pediatric

Research

Center

Epigenetics

regulation

of axonal

regeneratio

n

The goal of this research is to use the advantages of the

lamprey CNS to test the hypothesis that “good

regenerating” RS neurons have higher levels of histone

acetylation, favoring activation of a regeneration program,

whereas histone deacetylation contributes to regeneration

failure after SCI.

TU Health

Science

Campus

self-starter,

good

general

laboratory

skills

Neuroscien

ce


mailto:[email protected]



Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Mohan

Patnala

Achary

achary@te

mple.edu

TUSM Metastasis

and

Radiation

Research

Lab

Markers for

non-

metastatic

human

breast

cancers

and

inhibition

of human

glioblastom

a In Vivo.

Validation of genomic and gene expression markers for

differentiating human metastatic and non-metastatic

primary breast cancers. Inhibition of human glioblastoma

tumors by betulinic acid combined with ionizing radiation

in a nude mouse model.

TU Health

Science

Campus

None to

one

summer lab

research

experience -

Sincerity

Biology Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior

Mohsin

Khan

tuf72052@

temple.edu

TUSM Center for

Translation

al Medicine

Human

Cardiac

stem cell

and

exosome

based

therapies

for cardiac

regeneratio

n

The goal of these studies is to develop a cardiac

regeneration strategy based on human cardiac stem cells

isolated from heart failure patients. Understanding the

role of aging and disease onset will allow development of

novel strategies for enhancing human cardiac stem ability

to repair the heart after myocardial damage. Students will

work with characterizing human cardiac stem cells by

fluorescence microscopy, immunoblot analysis, viral

modification and cell proliferation/death assays. Students

will be expected to work on these projects efficiently with

inclusion of their name in a conference abstract or a

publication depending on the level of their contribution.

TU Health

Science

Campus

General

Lab Skills

Biology Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Nora Engel noraengel

@temple.e

du

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Genetics

and

Epigenetics

of sex-

specific

expression

patterns in

early

embryogen

esis

We are investigating differences between male and female

embryonic stem cells and the mechanisms by which these

early differences are established. Epigenetic assays will be

performed to detect the impact of sex on differentiation of

the cells.

Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Basic

laboratory

skills, such

as pipetting

and making

solutions

required.

Biology,

Biochemistr

y

Junior

Nune

Darbinian-

Sarkissian

nsarkiss@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fox Chase

Cancer

Center

Human

Brain

Developme

nt and

Exposure to

Psychoactiv

e

Medication

s and

Alcohol

Our group investigates effects of maternal exposure to

psychoactive medications and alcohol during pregnancy on

the fetal brain development. Maternal alcohol (EtOH)

exposure can lead to significant neuronal loss, synaptic

dysfunction that can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Mechanisms of neurotoxicity have been explored in animal

models and in vitro human models, but data from in vivo

human models is scarce. Our group developed unique in

vivo human FAS model to investigate molecular

mechanisms of massive neuronal and synaptic loss, and to

identify neurological diseases-specific miRNAs that upon

prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome, depression or Cerebral Palsy (CP). We also

investigate molecular mechanisms in neuroprotection by

human DING protein against alcohol-induced neuronal

injury, using various advanced techniques, including RNA

or miRNA studies by quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR;

TU Health

Science

Campus


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Nune

Darbinian-

Sarkissian

nsarkiss@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fox Chase

Cancer

Center

Effects of

Maternal

Alcohol

Consumpti

on and

Gestational

Age on

Human

Fetal Brain

Apoptosis

Maternal alcohol (EtOH) exposure can lead to significant

neuronal loss, synaptic dysfunction and fetal alcohol

syndrome (FAS). Mechanisms of neurotoxicity have been

explored in animal models and in vitro human models, but

data from in vivo human models is scarce.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Advanced,

motivated,

interested

in research

Neuroscien

ce, Biology,

Pharmacy,

Medical,

Psychiatry,

Gynecology

Juniors &

Seniors

Parkson

Lee-Gau

Chong

pchong02

@temple.e

du

TUSM Medical

Genetics

and

Molecular

Biochemistr

y

Design of

Novel

Liposomes

for Drug

Delivery

The goal of this research is to design novel liposomes for

targeted drug delivery to treat cancers. We will use bipolar

tetraether lipids (BTL) as the matrix lipids and polyethylene

glycol (PEG)-linked conventional lipids as the minor

component to make liposomes (100-200 nm in diameter)

with entrapped anticancer drugs. BTL will be isolated from

the thermoacidophilic archaea Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.

Physical properties of these BTL-based liposomes will be

characterized using a variety of biophysical techniques.

Drug release and the inhibitory effect of liposomal drug

against breast cancer cells will be monitored. These BTL-

based liposomes are expected to show remarkable stability

against temperature, pH gradient, mechanical stress,

pressure, serum proteins, bile salts, and enzymatic

digestions; and, they can be tailored for targeted delivery

and controllable release of anticancer drugs to solid

tumors. This multidisciplinary research involves microbe

TU Health

Science

Campus

GPA,

research

interest -

Basic chem.

lab skills

Chemistry,

Biology,

and Physics

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Parkson

Lee-Gau

Chong

pchong02

@temple.e

du

TUSM Medical

Genetics

and

Molecular

Biochemistr

y

Novel

Membrane

s for

Targeted

Drug

Delivery/Co

ntrolled

Release

and Other

Technologi

cal

Application

s Such As

Artificial

Photosynth

esis

Project 1: Archaeal bipolar tetraether liposomes (BTL) are

remarkably stable and robust biomaterials, holding great

promise for technological applications. They can be used

as targeted carriers, slow-release drug carriers, biosensors,

microbubbles for imaging and diagnosis, sterilized storage

devices, and coating materials. The goals of this research

are: (1) to gain a deeper molecular understanding of the

structure-activity relationship of BTL liposomes in order to

improve their usage as biomaterials and explore their

possible new applications, and (2) to design and fabricate

liposomes (i) for targeting phosphatidylserine- and

phosphatidylethanolamine-rich areas in cells and (ii) as

thermosensitive liposomes for controlled drug release.

Project 2: The main objective of this research is to

fabricate a highly efficient and durable, membrane-based

artificial photosynthesis device using novel lipids and

enzymes from thermoacidophiles. The system would be

TUHSC having

passion in

science and

technology;

eager to

learn new

things;

willing to

devote a

significant

amount of

time to the

lab work; -

general

chemistry--

required;

advanced

Chemistry,

Biology,

Physics,

Bioenginee

ring

Prasun

Datta

dattapk@t

emple.edu

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Cross-talk

between

HIV-1 and

glucose

metabolism

Elucidate mechanism(s) by which HIV-1 protein Vpr

modulates macrophage glucose metabolism. 2. Elucidate

mechanism(s) by which HIV-1 protein Tat modulates

microglia and astrocyte glucose metabolism.

If significant progress is made by the student then he/she

will be allowed to submit an abstract to a national meeting

or submit a manuscript for publication as a contributing

author.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Willingness

to learn

new

techniques.

- Prefer

prior

experience

in research.

Biology,

Neuroscien

ce,

Biochemistr

y

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Prasun

Datta

dattapk@t

emple.edu

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Regulation

of

glutamate

transporter

EAAT2 in

the context

of

NeuroAIDS

Research focuses on determining the role of HIV-1,

cytokines and drugs of abuse in the regulation of

glutamate transporter expression in astrocytes, microglia

and macrophages. If significant progress is made by the

student then he/she will be allowed to submit an abstract

to a national meeting or submit a manuscript for

publication as a contributing author.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Selection

criteria are

good

organizatio

nal skills,

interest in

learning

and

hardworkin

g. Prefer

prior

experience

in research

Biology,

Neuroscien

ce,

Biochemistr

y

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Raza Zaidi zaidi@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

molecular

mechanism

s of

Melanoma

genesis

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, which

originates from the pigment (melanin)-producing cells

(melanocytes) in the skin. Approximately 85% of

melanomas are directly caused by the UV radiation from

the sun and artificial tanning beds. However, the

molecular mechanisms of this cause-and-effect

relationship remain largely undefined. We are using cell

culture and mouse models, and cutting-edge molecular

biological techniques, genomics, and epigenomics to tease

out the molecular mechanisms of UV-induced

melanomagenesis.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Highly

motivated

individuals

who have

the passion

for

molecular

biology

research,

and are

willing to

commit

themselves

to a steep

learning

curve,

dedication,

Biochemisr

y or Biology


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Richard

Katz

Richard.Kat

[email protected]

FCCC Fox Chase

Cancer

Center

Organizatio

n of

chromatin

within the

cell nucleus

The most striking feature of the eukaryotic nucleus is the

spatial and functional organization of chromatin into two

fundamental units: euchromatin (open, active) and

heterochromatin (closed, Inactive). Heterochromatin is

localized largely in a compartment at the inner nuclear

periphery, in association with the fibrous nuclear lamina

framework. An emerging concept, based on evidence from

C. elegans and mammals, is that heterochromatic histone

tail modifications, e.g. H3K9me3, serve as anchoring points

for the attachment of heterochromatin to the nuclear

periphery. A second well-supported concept is “tethering”,

whereby proteins serve to attach heterochromatin to the

nuclear periphery. In mammals, two proteins, LBR and

PRR14, have been implicated in H3K9me2/3-dependent

tethering of heterochromatin to the nuclear lamina. PRR14

acts as a modular bivalent tether to link the nuclear lamina

to the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) adapter protein

FCCC Biology

Richard

Katz

Richard.Kat

[email protected]

FCCC Fox Chase

Cancer

Center

Organizatio

n of

chromatin

within the

cell nucleus

The most striking feature of the eukaryotic nucleus is the

spatial and functional organization of chromatin into two

fundamental units: euchromatin (open, active) and

heterochromatin (closed, Inactive). Heterochromatin is

localized largely in a compartment at the inner nuclear

periphery, in association with the fibrous nuclear lamina

framework. An emerging concept, based on evidence from

C. elegans and mammals, is that heterochromatic histone

tail modifications, e.g. H3K9me3, serve as anchoring points

for the attachment of heterochromatin to the nuclear

periphery. A second well-supported concept is “tethering”,

whereby proteins serve to attach heterochromatin to the

nuclear periphery. In mammals, two proteins, LBR and

PRR14, have been implicated in H3K9me2/3-dependent

tethering of heterochromatin to the nuclear lamina. PRR14

acts as a modular bivalent tether to link the nuclear lamina

to the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) adapter protein

FCCC Biology


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Richard

Pomerantz

richard.po

merantz@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Developme

nt of Drugs

for BReast

and

Ovarian

Cancer

Patients

DNA Polymerase Theta (Polq) is essential for the

proliferation of subsets of breast and ovarian cancers, but

is dispensable for normal cell growth. Thus Polq is

considered an important new cancer drug target. We are

screening and identifying drug-like inhibitors of Polq that

will be further developed as anti-cancer drugs.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Interest in

biochemistr

y and/or

cancer

therapeutic

s.

Biology,Che

mistry,Pre-

medical

Juniors or

Seniors

Richard T.

Pomerantz

richard.po

merantz@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

How the

process of

transcriptio

n

contributes

to genome

instability

in human

cells.

Genome instability in the form of chromosome breaks,

rearrangements and deletions is a hallmark of cancer cells

and contributes to tumorigenesis. The research project

aims to understand how the process of transcription

contributes to genome instability in human cells. Current

research in the lab reveals a direct link between

transcription and DNA deletions and rearrangements in

human cancer cells. This suggests that transcription plays a

much larger role in promoting genome instability and

potentially cancer than previously thought. The goal of the

project is to analyze and annotate the sequences of DNA

deletions and rearrangements generated at transcription

sites in human cells. The results of this research is likely to

provide new important insight into how the fundamental

process of transcription can cause genome instability and

will likely be published in a high profile journal.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Intelligent,

hard-

working,

independe

nt,

passionate

about

science and

research. -

General

Biology,

perhaps

Chemistry --

Successful

summer

research is

likely to be

Biochemistr

y, Biology,

or

Chemistry


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Richard T.

Pomerantz

richard.po

merantz@t

emple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

This

research

will provide

important

insight into

how

polymerase

theta

functions

during alt-

EJ and

promotes

the survival

of cancer

cells and

chemother

apy

A newly discovered DNA repair process called alternative

end-joining (alt-EJ) or microhomlogy-mediated end-joining

causes chromosome deletions and rearrangements and

promotes the survival of breast and ovarian cancer cells.

Current research in the lab has reconstituted the process

of alt-EJ in vitro and has elucidated how a key protein in

this pathway, DNA polymerase theta, generates insertion

mutations at DNA repair junctions. The goal of the project

is to analyze and annotate the sequences of insertion

mutations generated by polymerase theta during alt-EJ in

vitro. This research will provide important insight into how

polymerase theta functions during alt-EJ and promotes the

survival of cancer cells and chemotherapy resistance and

will likely be published in a reputable journal.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Intelligent,

hard-

working,

independe

nt,

passionate

about

science and

research. -

General

Biology,

perhaps

Chemistry --

Successful

summer

research is

likely to be

Biochemistr

y, Biology,

or

Chemistry

Sadia

Mohsin

tuf65474@

temple.edu

TUSM CVRC Stem cells

to repair

heart after

injury

The project would help in understanding different

mechanisms that could be involved in heart repair after

stem cell or exosomes transplantation after cardiac injury.

Immune response is one of the major events that occur

after injury. We would study how stem cells can play a part

in modulating immune response after myocardial

infarction.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology or

BioChem

Sophomore

, Juniors


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Sara Jane

Ward

saraward@

temple.edu

TUSM CSAR Cannabinoi

ds,

Inflammati

on, and

CNS Injury

Research focuses on determining the role of inflammation

across a range of CNS disorders, from stroke to substance

abuse. We take a behavioral and molecular immunological

approach to studying the role of inflammation in CNS

disorders and testing the hypothesis that cannabinoid

based-treatments have a potential to reduce this

inflammation and therefore improve behavioral outcomes.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Interest in

neuroscien

ce/experim

ental

psychology

Neuroscien

ce,

Psychology

Junior or

Senior

Scott Rawls scott.rawls

@temple.e

du

TUSM Pharmacol

ogy/ Center

for

Substance

Abuse

Research

Therapeuti

c secrets of

kratom

alkaloid

mitragynin

e: Testing

efficacy in

neuropathi

c pain and

abuse

liability

models and

characteriz

ation of

underlying

opioid and

adrenergic

More than 20 alkaloids, several of which are biologically

active, have been isolated from the Mitragyna speciosa

plant known as kratom, with MG being the major one,

accounting for 66.2% of the crude base and 6% by weight

of the dried plant. In Southeast Asia, kratom has been

used for centuries as a stimulant to counteract fatigue and

also as an herbal remedy for depression, pain, opioid

withdrawal, fever, anxiety, and diarrhea. Kratom’s ‘opioid-

like’ effects have gained the most public attention and are

presumed to be primarily responsible for its ‘addictive’ and

analgesic properties. However, it is notable that kratom

alkaloids are derived from a coffee-like, not opioid-like,

plant and display both opioid and stimulant properties,

with stimulant effects predominant at low-to-moderate

doses and opioid effects presenting with higher doses. In

fact, it is the mixed opioid/stimulant profile of kratom that

makes it so pharmacologically intriguing, and it is the

HSC Willing to

conduct

behavioral

research in

rats, mice

and

invertebrat

es

(planarians)

Interest in

studying

mechanism

s

underlying

drug

addiction,

identifying

neuroscien

ce, biology,

chemistry,

biochemistr

y,

psychology

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Seo-Hee

Cho

seo.hee.ch

o@temple.

edu

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

Pediatric

Research

Center/

Anatomy

and Cell

Biology

Examining

the effects

of Yap WT

and Yap

mutant

genes

overexpres

sion in the

developing

retina using

AAV

(Adeno-

associated

virus)

vectors.

This project consists of three parts. First, construction of

AAV-Yap (WT), AAV-YapS1A and AAV-YapS1D via

recombinant DNA technology. Second, expression of Yap,

WT and mutant, genes in the neonatal retina by

electroporation or viral injection. Lastly, characterization

of resulting retinas with various analysis tools including

immunofluorescennce assay followed by microscopic

imaging.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology Sophomore

Seo-Hee

Cho

seo.hee.ch

o@temple.

edu

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

Pediatric

Research

Center/

Anatomy

and Cell

Biology

A new LCA

model by

polarity

gene

ablation (2)

Genetic

analysis of

the

signaligng

genes

during eye

developme

nt

Our research focuses on understanding the cellular and

molecular mechanisms underlying the normal

development and degenerative diseases of the mammalian

retina. Topics we currently study include: (I) Functional

analysis of apical polarity gene Pals1 during retinal

development. (II) Pathophysiology study of degenerative

retinal diseases (LCA and RP) to understand the underlying

disease causing mechanisms. We are particularly

interested in polarity defect in retinal progenitor cells,

which causes early-onset, photoreceptor degeneration in

Leber Congenital Amaurosis 8 (LCA 8) and/or late-onset

Retinitis Pigmentosa 12 (RP12). (III) Cell-transplantation

and gene-based therapies: Our goal is to customize

therapy strategies using cell- and gene-based approaches

to restore vision loss in LCA8-like mouse model in

preclinical settings. (IV) Investigating the function of tumor

suppressor genes, TSC2 and Hippo-Yap signal transduction

TUHSC not

required

Biology

related -

General

Biology

recommen

ded


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Seonhee

Kim

tue62079@

temple.edu

TUSM Anatomy

and Cell

Biology

The role of

cell

signaling

and

polarity in

neural

developme

nt

My laboratory’s research focuses is to understand the

molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling brain

development to study the basis of neurodevelopmental

disorders. To gain in-depth knowledge of neural

development and neuronal disorders, we utilize

multidisciplinary approaches such as molecular and

neuroanatomical techniques including gene cloning,

progenitor or neuronal culture, cortical electroporation

and time-lapse imaging of cortical explants. Students will

involve the characterization of animal models exhibiting

abnormal cortical or cerebellar development and gene

cloning projects to clone the genes that are critical for

regulation of proliferation and differentiation during

neurogenesis.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology Junior or

Senior

Shin Kang shin.kang@

temple.edu

TUSM Anatomy

and Cell

Biology

Effects of

glial

regeneratio

n

promotion

on the

disease

course of

ALS

Unknown glial mechanisms contribute to ALS, a

devastating motor neuron disease. We recently found that

a specific genetic manipulation that enhances

oligodendroglia cell regeneration significantly extends the

survival period of ALS mice. This project will investigate

whether the same manipulation slows disease progression

and attenuates symptoms and biochemical indices of the

disease.

TUHSC Interest in

the study

of

neurodege

nerative

diseases.

Experiment

al mouse

handling

may be

required.

Strong

knowledge

of

biological

concepts.

Good

Biology-

related

sciences

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Shin Kang shin.kang@

temple.edu

TUSM Anatomy

and Cell

Biology

What

happens to

the adult

brain after

specific

ablation of

blood

vessel

pericytes?

Brain pericytes are an integral part of blood-brain-barrier

and are thought to make brain capillary contractile. We

engineered a unique genetic system to induce pericyte

ablation in the adult mouse brain. The goal of this project

is to characterize brain samples after pericyte ablation is

induced.

TUHSC Interest in

the study

of

neurodege

nerative

diseases.

Experiment

al mouse

handling

may be

required.

Strong

knowledge

of

biological

concepts.

Good

Biology-

related

sciences

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Shuxin Li shuxin.li@t

emple.edu

TUSM Shriners

Hospitals

Pediatric

Research

Center

Neural

repair and

CNS

neuronal

regeneratio

n

Our lab is highly interested in neural repair and CNS axon

regeneration research. Our projects focus on the

molecular/cellular mechanisms for CNS neuronal growth

failure and development of novel and effective strategies

to promote neuronal regeneration, remyelination and

functional recovery after injury and/or in

neurodegenerative disorders. We employ various in vitro

and in vivo research approaches, including

molecular/cellular neurobiology, biochemistry, genetic and

pharmacological methods, transgenic over-expression and

knockout mice and multiple neuronal/axonal lesion

models (such as spinal cord injury, optic nerve crush and

EAE) in mice and rats. We have produced a number of

high impact papers related to CNS axon regeneration and

treatments for CNS injury. Our lab is nationally and

internationally recognized for discovering that the

leukocyte common antigen related phosphatase (LAR) is a

TU Health

Science

Campus

Motivated

person and

basic

background

on

research.


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Stefania

Gallucci

gallucci@te

mple.edu

TUSM Microbiolo

gy-

Immunolog

y

Regulation

of Type I

Interferons

in

Autoimmu

nity

The project includes studies of cellular immunology and

molecular biology of signal transduction of cytokines

involved in the pathogenesis of an autoimmune disease,

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The goal of the project is

to test novel biologics to be used in the therapy of

autoimmune diseases.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Strong

motivation

to learn

and hard

working.

Biology_Pre

med

Steven

Houser

srhouser@t

emple.edu

TUSM Cariology Role of

Cortical

bone

derived

stem cells

for

improving

heart

function

after

myocardial

infarction

We are studying role of cortical bone derived stem cells

(CBSCs) in repair of heart after cardiac injury. We have

previously shown that these stem cells have capacity to

improve heart function mainly by secreting cardio

protective factors and mediating cardiac repair by

differentiation into cardiac lineages. Currently, we are

testing this hypothesis in a larger animal model for clinical

relevance of CBSCs. Concurrently, we are focused on

investigating if these beneficial effects can be achieved by

transfer of small vesicles called exosomes from these cells.

TU Health

Science

Campus

General lab

skills

Biology or

Chemistry

Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Sunil

Karhadkar

sunil.karha

dkar@tuhs.

temple.edu

TUSM Surgery BK virus

nephropath

y in post

renal

transplant

biopsy

Analysis of BK virus induced injury in transplant allografts

after renal transplantation. This includes study of

immunostains and patterns of glomerular and tubular

injury and correlation with immunosuppression post renal

transplantation. Analysis will include morphometry and

review of renal biopsy as well as biomarkers of renal injury

TUHSC biology,

biochemistr

y,

chemistry,

immunolog

y

Sunil

Karhadkar

sunil.karha

dkar@tuhs.

temple.edu

TUSM Surgery Correlation

of pre

transplant

renal

allograft

histology

with

transplant

outcomes

after

deceased

donor renal

transplanta

tion

Analysis of donor renal histology with regard to

glomerulosclerosis, vascular changes in intra renal blood

vessels and fibrosis; generation of pathological composite

score and its correlation with short term and long term

renal allograft function

TUHSC biology,

immunolog

y


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Sunil

Karhadkar

sunil.karha

dkar@tuhs.

temple.edu

TUSM Surgery /

Abdominal

Transplant

Hypotherm

ia in donors

for organ

transplanta

tion and

effects on

allograft

outcomes

Hypothermia is often utilized to minimize cerebral injury

after cardiac arrest. Progression to brain death after

cardiac arrest and subsequent organ donation and

recovery is associated with variable outcomes from the

procured allografts. The duration of hypothermia and the

ischemia times will be correlated with outcomes after

transplantation

TUHSC Biology,

biochemistr

y,

neuroscien

ce

Sunil

Karhadkar

sunil.karha

dkar@tuhs.

temple.edu

TUSM Surgery /

Abdominal

Transplant

Obesity

and Frailty

as risk

factors for

adverse

outcomes

after renal

transplanta

tion

Study and analysis of indices of frailty as determinants of

adverse outcomes after renal transplantation. This will

involve review of bioinformatics data and statistical

analysis and correlation with serum markers of renal

failure, morbidity and graft loss

TUHSC biology,

biochemistr

y


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Tasuku

Akiyama

tasuku.akiy

ama@temp

le.edu

TUSM Dermatolog

y and

Anatomy &

Cell Biology

Brain

Processing

of Itch

Thomas E

Sharp

tuc72715@

temple.edu

TUSM Cardiovasc

ular

Research

Therapeuti

c Potential

of Cell

Based

Therapy in

the Swine

Heart after

Myocardial

Infarction

Novel therapies are needed to improve cardiac function

after MI; one strategy is to replace lost myocardium.

Despite the success of bone marrow- and cardiac- stem

cell clinical trials, we’re still searching for the optimal stem

cell type most suitable for preservation of existing

myocardium and cardiac regeneration. Previously, we

described a novel cell population derived from the cortical

bone (CBSCs) which repaired the heart post MI via

transdifferentiation and paracrine signaling mechanisms in

a mouse model. In the present study, we evaluate the

translational potential of CBSCs in swine post MI.

TU Health

Science

Campus

Biology,

Chemistry,

Biochemistr

y,

Neuroscien

ce

Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Tomasz

Skorski

tskorski@t

emple.edu

TUSM Microbbiol

ogy and

Immunolog

y, Fels

Cancer

Research

Personalize

d medicine-

guided

synthetic

lethality to

eradicate

tumor cells

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs), and especially quiescent LSCs,

have a dual role as tumor initiating and therapy-refractory

cells. Currently available anti-tumor treatments clear a

disease burden consisting mostly of leukemia progenitor

cells (LPCs), but they usually fail to eradicate drug-

refractory quiescent LSCs and drug-resistant proliferating

LSCs/LPCs. Altered DNA repair mechanisms were

suggested to be responsible for stimulation of survival of

LSCs and/or LPCs under genotoxic stress.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), the most lethal DNA

lesions, are repaired by two major mechanisms,

homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-

joining (NHEJ). BRCA -mediated HR (B-HR) and DNA-PK

–mediated NHEJ (D-NHEJ) repair DSBs in proliferating cells

and D-NHEJ plays a major role in quiescent cells. PARP1-

dependent NHEJ (P-NHEJ) and RAD52-dependent HR (R-

HR) serve as back-ups/alternative mechanisms in

TUHSC biology Junior &

Senior

Tracy

Fischer-

Smith

tracy.fische

r-

smith@tem

ple.edu

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Role of

systemic

immune

alterations

in the

developme

nt of CNS

disease

While the brain is often considered to be "protected" from

the body (periphery), in reality, there is continued

communication between the CNS and periphery. Under

healthy conditions, this can aid the CNS, however, it may

have deleterious effects to the CNS in some disease states,

as well as aging. We are exploring the role of altered

systemic immunity in the promotion of CNS injury in HIV

infection. Our previous work suggests that in HIV

infection, immune polarization in the peripheral blood and

the brain is associated with, and likely contributes to, AIDS

progression and cognitive impairment. Our current studies

focus on an expanded monocyte subset in HIV infection

and explores the mechanisms for the observed expansion,

as well as how this subset may contribute to disease

progression and CNS decline. We anticipate this work will

reveal important insights into immune polarization and

disease pathogenesis, as well as help identify targets for

TUHSC Mature,

serious-

minded,

responsible

, reliable

Biology,

Biochemistr

y

Sophomore

, Junior,

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Uma Sajjan uma.sajjan

@temple.e

du

TUSM Thoracic

Medicine

and

Surgery

Innate

immune

functions

of airway

epithelium

How does airway epithelium contributes to pathogenesis

of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Epithelium lining the conductive zone is the first line of

defense against inhaled pathogens, particulates and other

enviromental pollutants. Airway epithelium which was

initially thought to be physical barrier separating the

environment from the lungs and to clear the inhaled

pathogens via mucociliary escalator mechanism, is now

recognized as an active participant in detecting inhaled

pathogens and orchesterating innate and adaptive

immunity in the lungs. Therefore alterations in structure

and function of airway epithelium that is often observed in

patients with COPD and asthma may significantly affect

the outcome of respiratory infections. Rhinovirus which

causes common cold in healthy individuals exacerbates

disease in patients with COPD and asthma and also

increases risk for acquiring secondary bacterial or viral

TUHSC Willingness

to work

with small

animals,

such as

mice

Good

organizatio

nal skills

Good

writing and

communica

tional skills

Any science

major.

Freshman,

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Wenhui Hu whu@temp

le.edu

TUSM Center for

Metabolic

Disease

Research,

Departmen

t of

Pathology

and Lab

Med

Molecular

mechanism

s of

hypothala

mic

neurogenes

is and

neural

metabolic

syndrome

The research interest in Dr. Hu’s lab focuses on the role

and mechanisms of a novel protein NIBP, which regulates

NFkB signaling and trans-Golgi networking. Mutation of

NIBP contributes to mental retardation, autism, obesity

and stroke. In particular, NIBP knockout mice develop

obesity under normal diet. Also, the lab is interested in the

novel role of the schizophrenia and autism spectrum

disorder gene TCF4 in regulating neuritogenesis and

synaptic plasticity. The qualified students will actively

participate in the daily research activities in the laboratory.

These activities include: neural stem cell culture,

transfection, reporter gene assay, CRISPR/Cas9 genome

editing, molecular cloning, RT-PCR, Western blot,

immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, genotyping and

phenotyping. The students will also participate in the

weekly journal club and weekly seminar in the

department. The students are expected to understand the

TUHSC Motivation

for science,

responsible

and reliable

Neuroscien

ce, Biology,

Psychiatry,

Bioenginee

ring,

Computer

science

Junior or

Senior


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Wenhui Hu whu@temp

le.edu

TUSM Departmen

t of

Pathology

and Lab

Med

Target-

specific

delivery of

CRISPR/Cas

9 genome

editors to

Disease-

relevant

cells

CRIPSR/Cas9 genome editing has been drawing extensive

attention in both science and public. It has revitalized the

gene and cell therapy. A large number of exciting and

promising preclinical studies escalate the potential of

genome editors to treat patients with genetic diseases,

infectious diseases, cancer and others. One of many

challenges before wide clinical application is the urgent

need to effectively, specifically and safely deliver the

powerful genome editing machinery to disease-relevant

cells and tissues. Dr. Hu’s lab is interested in developing

novel viral and non-viral gene delivery for Cas9/sgRNA-

expressing vectors or ribonucleoprotein by targeting

neural, immune and cancer cells. The qualified students

will actively participate in the daily research activities in

the laboratory. These activities include: molecular cloning,

PCR genotyping, real-time PCR, genome editing evaluation,

cell culture, transfection, reporter gene assay, Western

TUHSC High

motivation

for science,

responsible

and

reliable,

hard-

working

Molecular

biology,

Genetics,

Biology,

Neuroscien

ce

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Wenzhe Ho wenzheho

@temple.e

du

TUSM Pathology

and

Laboratory

Medicine

Exoosme in

Methamph

etamine

and HIV-

associated

Neurodege

neration

The proposed studies will reveal previous unidentified

mechanisms by which METH and/or HIV compromise the

BBB innate immunity, providing a favorable micro-

environment for HIV neuroinvasion.

TUHSC Prefer to

have

students

with

biology

major,

having a

great

interest in

research

(with or

without

experience,

although

research

experience

is

Biology,

Neuroscien

ce


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Xavier

Grana

xgrana@te

mple.edu

TUSM Fels

Institute for

Cancer

Research

Understand

ing

Substrate

Specificity

of Protein

Phosphatas

es and their

regulation

in normal

and cancer

cells

There are various projects available that deal with the

characterization of the substrate specificity of the

B55α/PP2A holoenzyme and its regulation in cells. (1)

B55α/PP2A holoenzyme substrate specificity This project

focuses on determining the determinants of substrate

specificity of B55α/PP2A holoenzymes using various

unrelated substrates of this holoenzyme. We have and

extensive collection of B55α mutants (>20 mutants) and

more to be made to be tested for binding to various

substrates using transient co-transfections made in human

cells grown in culture. The project involves cell culture,

transfections, immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis

and generation and maintenance of plasmids. (2) To

identify the domains in p107 recognized by protein

phosphatases. This project is centered on determining the

amino acid residues that mediate the interaction of p107

with the PP2A. We have an extensive collection of GST-

TUSM Motivation

for Science

and

Research

Background

knowledge -

Previous

lab

experience

is NOT

required

Biochemistr

y, Biology,

Bioinforma

tics -

Genetics

and/or

Biochemistr

y and/or

Cell Biology

Sophomore

, Junior or

Senior

Xiao-feng

Yang

xfyang@te

mple.edu

TUSM Pharmacol

ogy

Regulation

of vascular

inflammati

on and

atheroscler

osis

Dr. Xiaofeng Yang’s laboratory, located in the MERB-10th

floor-1083, Centers of Metabolic Disease Research,

Cardiovascular Research, Thrombosis Research and

Departments of Pharmacology and Immunology, focuses

on studying the regulatory mechanisms of vascular

endothelial cell, smooth muscle cell, monocyte, adipocyte

and regulatory T cell immune responses related to vascular

inflammation and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a

chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized

by intense immunological activity, and is the main cause of

ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular

diseases and stroke remain as the leading cause of

morbidity and mortality in industrialized society. There is

increasing evidence that vascular endothelial cell

inflammation significantly contributes to the onset and

early development of atherosclerosis. Success of these

projects will provide new molecular targets for future

TUHSC Cardiovasc

ular

Research

Center


Faculty

Name

Email

Address

Faculty

School or

College

Faculty

Departmen

t

Project

title


Location

Important

selection

criteria

Student

Majors

Desired

Class

Preference

Xuebin Qin xuebin.qin

@temple.e

du

TUSM Neuroscien

ce

Applying a

novel cell

knockout

model for

CNS

diseases

Conditional and targeted cell ablation is fast becoming a

powerful approach for studying cellular functions and

tissue regeneration in vivo. Taking advantage of the

exclusive IL Y interaction with hCD59, I have developed a

novel tool to investigate the role of specific cells in the

pathogenesis of human diseases. IL Y administration to the

transgenic mice expressing hCD59 in specific cells can be

used to generate this cell ablation model, in which IL Y

specifically damages hCD59-expressing cells in the mice.

We can utilize this concept to develop a new cell ablation

model to study the functions of different cell types under

physiologic and patho-physiologic conditions including cell

differentiation and tissue development in many species. I

have established multiple collaborations with Scientists in

USA to further utilize this approach for their research

projects in many species.

TUHSC Working

hard -

Genetics

Cell biology

Genetics or

molecular

biology


10/29/2018 spring 2019 tusm projects 1...faculty name email address faculty school or college...

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