THINK 2009 Presents

Laboratory Project Category Winners


Finalist: KEVIN GUO

Chesterfield, Missouri
Parkway Central High School

Project Title

Merging Radionuclides and Fluorophores

Abstract

A novel diagnostic platform based on the combination of fluorescence and radioactivity modalities in a synergistic fashion is proposed to significantly improve the accuracy of existing diagnostics in medicine. We fused fluorescence and radioactivity by inserting a radionuclide into a fluorescent system. For the first time, we demonstrated that the radioactive decay of 64Cu to 64Ni and 64Zn, chelated to a fluorescent probe, led to the significant increase of fluorescence. We investigated metal modulated fluorescence both experimentally and theoretically and established the mechanism of interaction. Potential applications capitalizing on the benefits of combining radioactivity and fluorescence are discussed.

MIT Trip Testimony

Participating in the THINK competition was an extremely rewarding experience that I am truly thankful for. The process itself challenged me to consider how I could have a meaningful impact on society, and in doing so, let me discover how fascinating and interesting science can really be. During my week at MIT, I was simply stunned by the raw brilliance of the environment. In particular, I was humbled beyond words at the TechFair as I presented side by side with the most remarkable and recent technologies being developed. I can honestly say that this experience will stay with me the rest of my life.




Semi-finalist: PETER MENG LI

Carmel, Indiana
Carmel High School

Project Title

HPD: Online Integrated Human Pathway

Abstract

The computer era boom gave rise to bioinformatics, systems biology and personalized medicine but over 250 diverse web-accessible biological pathway and network resources make a comprehensive pathway analysis unfeasible. My research created the Human Pathway Database (HPD), an efficient user interface connecting to an integrated data warehouse with multiple analysis tools for biologists to use. Rigorous pathway analysis uses algorithms to cluster and merge network pathways from multiple online databases based on similarities among their molecular components. The HPD thus provides the means to reveal complex mechanisms of drug actions and may yield biomarkers for monitoring drug effects in patients.

Learning Experience

From this project, I finally discovered that computer science is only a tool used to further other fields of science and mathematics. I learned knowledge from the field of bioinformatics such as database management/integration, interface design, and mathematical algorithms and visualization to conceptualize analysis for pathways. Furthermore, I also learned how to approach higher level research projects and write research papers.




Semi-finalist: BRYAN HUANG

North Potomac, Maryland
Montgomery Blair High School

Project Title

The Effect of Retinal Proximity to Stimulus Electrodes from Visual Prostheses: 3-D modeling of the Rabbit Eye

Abstract

Visual prostheses offer benefits to the blind, but a lack of safe standards could lead to devices that cause permanent damage to the retina. The experiment investigated the effects of different types of electrodes on the retina by creating and using 3-D model simulations. The models tested three kinds of electrodes, flat and bullet-shaped epiretinal electrodes, along with subretinal electrodes. A bullet-shaped electrode placed 100 μm away from the retina was concluded to be the ideal location for an electrode in this simulation. Future work will refine the 3-D model and incorporate live-tissue experiments to develop a safe standard.

Learning Experience

Though this project has been educational, the biggest lesson I‘ve learned from this experience is not something related to biology or engineering, but related to how effectively I work alone. I‘ve discovered, through a summer of working solely with my mentor, the importance of working with others. Although my mentor was certainly helpful and encouraging when I needed help, for the majority of the project I worked alone in the lab with no other interns around. I discovered that every project has more contributors than the name you see on the research paper. There are undergrads, post grads, post docs, primary investigators that can contribute their knowledge and help you on a project. My only regret in this project is that I did not meet and interact with more people more knowledgeable than myself.