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8
BINGHAMTON BIOCHEMISTRY CLUB | SPRING 2013 VOL II ISSUE 002

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First Magazine for the Spring Semester

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Page 1: Titin Vol II Issue 2

BINGHAMTON BIOCHEMISTRY CLUB | SPRING 2013 VOL II ISSUE 002

Page 2: Titin Vol II Issue 2

2

CONTENTS

COVER ART

Dan Sha Li

3

3

LETTERS FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT AND

MAGAZINE COORDINATOR

Lance Kong

Roshni Khilnani

BINGHAMTON BIOCHEMISTRY CLUB T-SHIRT

4

5-6

LITERATURE REVIEWS

Advances in Medical Imaging Through the Use of Cellular

Phones

Stephanie Jiang

Novel Microchip Promotes Live Cell Imaging and Analy-

sis of the Functional Heterogeneity of the NK Cell Popula-

tion

Betty Chu

6

7

STUDENT OPINION

Master’s Degree: The New Bachelor’s Degree?

Lance Kong

The Death of the Driver’s License

Paul Brick

8 CROSSWORD

http://www.123rf.com/photo_10011852_medical-technology-and-corporate-research-as-art.html

Page 3: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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Letter from the Vice President:

Dear Students, Faculty and Alumni,

I would like to first welcome everyone back

to a new semester! Our goal, as the Biochemistry

Club, is to constantly strive for more innovative

ideas to contribute to the Binghamton campus and

community. I am proud to say that, over the course

of the previous semesters, our momentum in expand-

ing our outreach and services has never been better.

Last semester, we successfully enhanced our

club’s role in advising students by hosting the Bing-

hamton Biochemistry Club Mentorship Program.

This program gave underclassmen and transfer stu-

dents a 1 on 1 academic advising opportunity. Aca-

demics are essential, but we also should not ignore

the importance of practical knowledge and applica-

tions of science. Our Research and Internship Semi-

nar addressed this issue and elucidated possible op-

portunities for students interested in both Graduate

School and Medical School.

We are working hard to enact our prospective

plans such as the Academic Tournament and mini-

Bridge program which would take the club to an en-

tirely new level of networking and outreach to both

on and off campus communities. With our past

achievements and our future plans, I believe that this

is only the beginning of a memorable semester to

come.

Best,

Lance Kong

Letter from the Magazine Coordinator:

Dear Readers,

Expressly, I would like to thank all our con-

tributors for sharing their words with the students,

faculty and the alumni and for their efforts in ensur-

ing that all information contained in Titin was cor-

rect at the time of going to print.

Special thanks must go to the writers: Betty

Chu, Stephanie Jiang, Lance Kong and Paul Brick.

I must also acknowledge the work of our editors:

Karen Fu, Fanny Zeng, Steve Kwon, and Stephanie

Jiang, who have worked diligently to dot every i and

cross every t. Also, a thank you to Dan Sha Li for

developing the quorum sensing cover. The theme for

this issue is Medical Technology and our team will

strive to have our future issues be themed as well.

Finally, to our readers: we hope you enjoy

reading Titin as much as we enjoyed writing, design-

ing and producing it.

Sincerely,

Roshni Khilnani

Represent your major or love of biochemistry with a Bing-

hamton Biochemistry Club T-Shirt!

If you’re interested in purchasing one, please email Lance at

[email protected] with your name and size. Prices will

be dependent on how many people order.

Page 4: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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Advances in Medical Imaging Through the Use of

Cellular Phones

By Stephanie Jiang

Approximately one-fifth of all diseases can

be diagnosed and treated with medical imaging.

However, a large population of the world, particu-

larly in developing countries, lacks accessibility to

medical imaging technology within affordable price

ranges. Over fifty percent of the medical technology

in developing countries cannot be used because of

complexity, costs for maintenance and repair, or

shortage of trained health workers for particular

equipment. Fortunately, a newly proposed system

provides a cheaper alternative for diagnosis and

treatment of diseases. This method utilizes cellular

phone technology to facilitate magnetic resonance

images, computed tomograms, and ultrasound scans,

making highly trained image processing personnel

unnecessary.

Cell phones are able to transmit unprocessed

data to a fundamental location, where the informa-

tion is modified into an image and then returned to

the screen of the phone. The new medical imaging

system consists of two components connected to a

cellular phone: (1) a data acquisition device (DAD)

with limited controls and no image display at a sim-

ple isolated patient site and (2) a versatile unit with

advanced functions to reconstruct images and control

hardware at a central site. After raw medical imaging

data is reconstructed at the central site, the data re-

turns to the cellular phone as an image and becomes

displayed on the screen. The major difference be-

tween this system and conventional telemedicine is

the use of the cellular phone as a transmitter rather

than a telecommunication device.

Various modalities of medical imaging can

be assessed to evaluate the value of using cellular

phones for desired operations, including electrical

impedance tomography (EIT), ultrasound, or x-ray.

The researchers tested the reliability of this proposed

medical imaging system by a diagnostic imaging of

simulated of breast cancer tumors, using EIT as the

main protocol for the simulation. EIT works accord-

ing to external voltage measurements through elec-

trodes placed at specific areas on the body surface.

The reconstructed image’s format was a multimedia

message, returned to display on the cell phone

screen. Another test to assess the interventional pros-

pects of this technology was conducted by imaging a

simulated tissue ablation with irreversible electropo-

ration, a minimally invasive method of tissue re-

moval. Both tests have proven that the DAD can be

apart from the reconstruction procedure and that cel-

lular phones are acceptable connectors to the two

components.

Hence, the use of cellular phones as an alter-

native method for medical imaging shows potential

for the future of healthcare in developing countries

as it opens up more extensive availability to a wider

range of the world population.

Figure 1. System configuration for the breast

cancer tumors patient self-test screening.

Outlined arrows indicate optional reporting

of results to the patient.

Granot Y, Ivorra A, Rubinsky B (2008) A New Concept for Medical ImagingCentered on Cellular Phone Technology. PLoS ONE 3(4): e2075. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0002075

Page 5: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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With the growing use of microchips in stud-

ies of human cells, such as stem cells, scientists

have developed a new microchip to analyze natural

killer (NK) cells. NK cells are part of the first im-

mune response against infections and tumors. They

vary within individuals due to their heterogeneity

and, therefore, express varying behaviors in migra-

tion and in the killing of target cells. This necessi-

tates the need for improved methods of studying

individual cells.

Conventional methods that have been used

to analyze the potency of individual cells include

microscopy and flow cytometry, a technique used

to count cells by suspending them in a stream of

fluid. However, both methods are limited and in-

sufficient when analyzing a single cell. Microscopy

is inefficient because cells move out of the field of

view and, thus, cannot be tracked for long periods

of time. Similarly, in flow cytometry, the limited

assessment time of cells leads to the inability of

studying the fluctuations in cellular responses.

The novel microchip resolves the limita-

tions of flow cytometry and microscopy. Made of

silicon and glass, the microchip consists of more

than 30,000 square wells, each with a depth of 300 μm, and provides an in vitro environment like that of stan-

dardized cell cultures. The large depth of each microwell confines cells to prevent them from moving between

wells, enabling the tracking of single cells over extended periods of time. After loading the microchip with

cells, the microchip platform can be mounted onto a microscope stage for live cell imaging.

Depending on the focus of study, microchips of different sizes may be used; it can consist of small

wells of 50×50×300 μm (side×side×depth) or larger wells with sides of 300-900 μm and a depth of 300 μm.

The small wells allow only a few cells to fit inside and maintain a minimal distance that separates NK cells

from target cells, increasing the chances for cell-cell interactions. A screening of these microwells can be used

to analyze cytotoxicity, one of the heterogeneities within the NK cell population, and track cell-cell interaction

events by time-lapse microscopy. Larger microwells can be used to study the migratory and killing behaviors

of different NK cell populations. This movement is representative of the migration of NK cells within and

across tissues, such as lung tissue or blood, during immune surveillance.

Interactions between an NK cell and target cells in the wells of the microchip can be better initiated

using an ultrasound-based method. The ultrasound induces and synchronizes the interaction between an NK

cell and target cells in multiple parallel microwells, significantly decreasing the time it takes for the interaction

and, hence, aids in time-lapse studies.

Novel Microchip Promotes Live Cell Imaging and Analysis of

the Functional Heterogeneity of the NK Cell Population

By Betty Chu

Figure 1: The versatility in size of the microchip platform is used

for several experimental setups.

Page 6: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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This tool is also useful because NK cell migratory behavior varies within its own cell population. NK

cells can alternate between fast and slow migration, display stop and go behavior, and go into complete migra-

tion arrest. Thus, by confining them into microwells and by tracking the movement of each cell, trajectories for

all NK cells can be created and the speed, displacement, and direction of each cell can also be calculated.

This microchip is an especially valuable tool for the analysis of the heterogeneous human NK cell popula-

tion. With their varied behaviors in cytotoxicity, migration, and proliferation, further study can lead to ad-

vances in modern cell biology and immunology.

Forslund E, Guldevall K, Olofsson PE et al. Novel microchip-based tools facilitating live cell imaging and assessment of functional heterogeneity within NK cell

populations. Front. Immun. 2012; 3(300): 1-7. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00300

Master’s Degree: The New Bachelor’s?

By Lance Kong

In the present day, I am confident that every-

one has heard the question: Is the bachelor’s degree

enough? General consensus suggests NO. It is clear

that this answer reflects the current economic trends,

as well as the increasingly competitive job market.

Everyone struggles to climb one step higher above

the rest for that one open spot by participating in a

plethora of internships and extracurricular activities

and, most notably, going to the extent of attaining a

graduate degree. The natural instinct of employers is

to select the cream of the crop to preserve the integ-

rity of their companies, but does an extra diploma

justify the selection of one candidate over the other?

A common argument is that an extra degree

is indicative of “more experience in the field,” but I

would like to bring to light a different perspective.

In most cases, a person with a master’s degree would

win a bout against one with a bachelor’s, in terms of

sheer knowledge. However, will all that knowledge

be used in the job? Recently, an acquaintance of

mine was rejected from a potential promotion as an

assistant administrator. Despite her skills honed and

the respect of the employers earned over several

years, she was denied the job simply because she

lacked a master’s degree. Personally, I would find

experience in the actual occupation a more useful

asset than extra knowledge that may never be put to

use. This example, unfortunately, exemplifies the

macrocosm of the present day trends in employment.

So why is a bachelor’s degree not really

enough nowadays? Simple answer: Supply and de-

mand. Decades ago, a bachelor’s degree would

guarantee a well-paying job due to the relative scar-

city of individuals with higher education. However,

the times have changed and we, the current genera-

tion, find ourselves in a era where the bachelor’s de-

gree has become a commonplace and inadequate

phenomenon. It has become inadequate to the point

where the master’s degree has become the new

“demand” of the job market. This brings me, ulti-

mately, to the question: Will the doctorate degree

become the new bachelor’s, one day?

mashable.com/2009/03/29/masters-degree-social-media/

Page 7: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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The DeaTh of The Driver’s License

By Paul Brick

I magine being able to summon your shared car

with your phone app, get in when it arrives, and

just watch a movie, do your homework, or take a

nap as it guides you to your destination. Estimates say

these bad boys won’t be on the road for at least an-

other five or so years; however, California, followed

by Nevada and Florida, have already started writing

new legislation to account for these new vehicles.

Among the other life-changing implications this de-

velopment brings to society, this may denote the death

of the driver’s license. That uncomfortable, anxiety-

ridden, yet exciting process we experienced as teens

might become a historical footnote for our kids.

But that’s just the start. Technology across the board

is working to simplify getting anything wherever and

whenever it wants, making it obsolete to leave home.

For example, the future could hold a world where our

goods come to us. Consider the start-up, Darwin Aero-

space, currently trying to overcome FAA restrictions

to legalize their “Burrito Bomber” project. It involves

an independent GPS-guided drone that will release a

burrito with a parachute to your location. FedEx is

likewise tackling FAA to develop a drone delivery

force of their own, and we may have our next text-

books delivered to us by air.

Those goods we can’t fly in are probably possible to

make at home. Have you heard of 3D printers?

They’re exactly what they sound like—machines that

use a digital model to make solid three-dimensional

objects. You could print your lost screw at home, or

design a totally original lamp. Ever wanted an exact

replica of Michelangelo’s David for your yard? The

propositions are far-reaching, and may be devastating

to the manufacturing business. It would be similar to

having a desktop Walmart. The tech is not close to

that level, but it is improving: a company called Uni-

verse Architecture is apparently planning to 3D-print

an entire building, sans construction workers.

You say, “Well none of these things replace actual

face-time with real people. You can’t print a person,

and you can’t deliver them by drone.” True, but you

will perhaps be able to recreate them. Enter the fantas-

tic field of “claytronics”, or “programmable matter”.

The tech works by using atom-sized robots that as-

semble into shapes determined by a computer, allow-

ing them to represent any imaginable form, including

that of someone you know. So instead of having to go

to the car to have dinner with someone, our children

may throw their stuff in a pile and have it morph into

their date, while their date does the same at home.

Copies would even feel real.

There is one more step in the death of the driver’s li-

cense, and that lies in virtual reality. When virtual re-

ality is totally immersive, vacation will be obsolete.

Why go to the Bahamas when you can have the Baha-

mas at home, (or Middle Earth, or the surface of the

moon, or the bottom of the ocean for that matter?) In a

world like that, the only time our kids would see a

driver’s license would be on a vacation… to twenty or

thirty years earlier.

Google’s driverless car Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

Page 8: Titin Vol II Issue 2

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Down

1. The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, consisting of one or more nuclei, cyto-

plasm, and various organelles, all surrounded by a semipermeable cell membrane.

2. A stable positively charged subatomic particle that is a fundamental constituent of all atomic nuclei.

3. A substance that reacts with an acid to form a salt and water; an electron-pair donor

4. A colorless, volatile, water-soluble, flammable liquid; C3H6O

5. Neutral molecule with positive and negative charge

6. The condition when a chemical reaction and its reverse reaction proceed at equal rates

8. Bond that is dissociated by dTT

10. A cylindrical container usually used for stirring, heating, and mixing liquids. These are commonly used in laboratories.

13. Organic sulfur compound with R-SH functional group

14. Protein secondary structure with a spiral shape

Across

2. Bacterial "reproductive" appendage.

6. A stable negatively charged subatomic particle that is a fun-

damental constituent of matter, and exists as the component

outside the nucleus of an atom.

7. An alkane with formula C100H202

9. Located in the cytoplasm, they are the sites of cellular respi-

ration that use ATP to generate energy, which ultimately pro-

vides fuel to other cell activities.

10. A laboratory equipment that produces an open gas flame

from a single source. This can be used for sterilization, heat-

ing, and combustion.

11. Informational molecule translated into mRNA

12. Weak organic acid with three Carboxyl groups.

15. A substance that reacts with a base

16. A class of organic compounds corresponding to the inor-

ganic salts and formed from an organic acid and an alcohol.

17. Accumulation of cholesterol rich in lipid

material in tendons

Binghamton Biochemistry Club Crossword

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a gift card!