Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Catherine Ngo L&S Sciences

Positional Cloning of the curly mutation in Xenopus tropicalis

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America. Hundreds of different diseases are characterized as cancer, but all have the same underlying cause. This mortal disease results from mutations in genes responsible for cell division regulation. For my project, I will positionally clone the curly mutation of Xenopus tropicalis, a defect due to alterations in a tumor suppressor gene. This summer my primary goal is to narrow in on the region in which the curly gene resides–the first step of positional cloning. After this initial step, I can later proceed to uncover the identity of the mutated gene. Through this project, we hope to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancer by uncovering the genes involved in its development.

Message To Sponsor

Although I have already been a part of the Harland lab for a year, I have never had the opportunity to wholeheartedly engage in what I am interested in during the school year. The summer will thus be valuable for me to dive further into an area in which I excited about. SURF will surely assist me in progressing in my research, not just financially but also emotionally. Upon encountering difficulties, I can turn to this program for advice or to simply voice my frustrations, for Im sure that there will be other fellows experiencing similar aggravations. Yet, regardless of how far I advance into my project, I am sure that SURF will contribute to making this summer one of the most challenging yet enriching experiences of my undergraduate career.