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Search for "cancer" returned 3 result(s).

Guy R Adami

Email Address: gadami@uic.edu
College: Dentistry Department: Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
Title: Associate Professor
Office: 569A DENT M/C 838 Phone: 3129966251
Webpage: https://dentistry.uic.edu/guy-adami/
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes

Research Interest:
There are over 700 species of bacteria that make their home in the mouth as part of the oral microbiome. These bacteria can produce molecules that interfere with the function of your oral tissue. Mouth bacteria have long been known to causes disease such as tooth decay and gum disease. Little is known about what else they can do. We have shown bacteria of the mouth in the aged, over 65 years of age, are different than those in young people. We believe these different bacteria may contribute to the decline in healing powers and increased inflammation seen in aged people by making specific molecules that interfere with normal body function. We will determine which bacteria in your mouth contribute to the decline in overall health seen with aging, how they do it, and find measures to prevent these declines.

A second area of interest is developing a noninvasive diagnostic for oral cancer based on microRNA measurement.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 6

Qualifications of a Student:
No prerequisites except an interest in computational data analysis or an interest in biology of systemic disease. Another opportunity is in learning how to set up and run a diagnostic clinical trial.

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Several areas of work are possible.

Learn the basics of running a small diagnostic clinical trial.

There is a specific opportunity for a student that would like to be involved with computer based analysis of clinical data including DNA and RNA data in order to determine how the oral microbiome contributes to aging changes of poor healing and increased inflammation. This will be done using large amounts of patient data. We have used this to link specific oral bacteria to specfic disease, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or conditions, like old age.

Microbiome anlaysis includes bench experiments. This includes isolating RNA and DNA from samples, and performing quantitative PCR to measure RNA levels (gene expression) along with gene expression analysis of thousands of genes at once using large scale cDNA sequencing.

Please contact the researcher directly at gadami@uic.edu.

Naiche Adler

Email Address: naiche@uic.edu
College: Medicine Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Title: Scientific Director
Office: 2131 COMRB Phone: 67151
Webpage: https://kitajewski.lab.uic.edu/
Participating in the CCTS Center for Clinical and Translational Science
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Participating in the Summer Research Opportunities Programs for Undergraduates: Yes

Research Interest:
The Kitajewski laboratory studies the genetic pathways that control the formation of blood vessels, called sprouting angiogenesis. Our lab studies how new blood vessels form in normal, healthy contexts like retinal vessels in the back of the eye, and also how new blood vessels form in pathological contexts such as cancer.

We are currently exploring the role(s) of Notch signaling and Ackr1 proteins in endothelial regulation of inflammation and immune cell function. Our lab examines these processes using a variety of techniques. Depending on the experiment, we may introduce genetic mutations in mice, downregulate or overexpress genes in cells in tissue culture, sequence whole-genome mRNA, or assess protein activity via biochemical assays.

Work in the Kitajewski lab is highly collaborative and involves team efforts both within the lab and with external collaborators. We are committed to excellent science and training. Young scientists can expect to learn to perform techniques in angiogenesis and cell biology, collect and analyze data, and design presentations to communicate their results.

The Kitajewski lab is looking for motivated undergraduate students. Students will work with experienced lab members to develop a mentored project that contributes to overall lab research. Current positions require willingness to work with lab animals (mice), including paying careful attention to their health, taking tissue samples, and euthanizing as needed. If interested, please contact Dr. Naiche Adler, the scientific director for the Kitajewski lab, for further information at naiche@uic.edu.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 12

Qualifications of a Student:
Preferred majors: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Computer Science with an interest in bioinformatics. Honors College and GPPA students will be given priority.

We are looking for a student who is:
- Organized, reliable, timely
- Curious and willing to ask questions, also willing to find answers independently
- Rigorous about note-taking, including recording instructions and results
- Careful about following instructions exactly and with close attention to detail
- Willing to work with mice

Preference will be given to freshmen or sophomores who expect to continue work in our lab through multiple school years, or to juniors/seniors with previous lab experience. Those with previous lab experience should provide letters of reference.

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Time commitment:

12-15 hours per week, with 3-5 hours per work day.

We will work with you to design a schedule that conforms to your classes. You will be expected to arrive promptly, reliably, and be committed to working during your scheduled hours.

Depending on budget, motivated students may be offered paid hourly work over the summer.

Training:

Initially, students will be expected to learn basic lab maintenance and support skills to contribute to overall running of the lab. Learning to work with lab mice will be required for most projects.

After an initial learning and evaluation period, you will consult with other lab personnel to select a project that complements your research interests and skills. With the help of a mentor, you will be expected to learn the scientific background of your project and be able to justify the experimental approach you are taking to solving the research question.

You will be expected to keep a notebook of the procedures that you learn and to accurately document and report all results. Some results may be unexpected! Students will be expected to present their research in periodic lab meetings and poster presentations. Exceptional students may be asked to present their results at seminars or meetings or to co-present with their mentors.

Please contact the researcher directly at naiche@uic.edu.

Srilata Bagchi

Email Address: sbagchi@uic.edu
College: Dentistry Department: Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Disease
Title: Associate Professor
Office: 535B DENT M/C 860 Phone: 413-0683
Participating in the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Participating in the Summer Research Opportunities Programs for Undergraduates: Yes

Research Interest:
Cancer research;  Abnormalities in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in human cancer. We also study the DNA damage and repair process to understand how faulty DNA repair contributes to malignancy. Two cancer models are used, HPV-associated cervical cancer and oral and head and neck cancer.

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 10

Qualifications of a Student:
Completion of coursework in biology and biochemistry; Willing to work 8 to 10 hours per week

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
The student should be committed to research and will be willing to work hard. Prior lab research experience is required for participation.

Please contact the researcher directly at sbagchi@uic.edu.