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Menlo MAGIC

Mentee Presentation

April 29, 2024

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Agenda

Anya Khan

Genetic Engineering in the Medical Industry

Tessa Sundar

Graduate Guide

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Anya Khan

9th Grade , Menlo School,

Atherton, CA

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Bishakha Introducing Anya

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Bishakha Mona - My Mentor

Associate Advisor at Science Philanthropy Alliance

Engages with philanthropists supporting scientific research
Offers guidance on funding decisions

Lives in San Jose
Loves to spend time with her dog(Oreo)

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Genetic Engineering in the Medical Industry

Aim

Learn about how genetic engineering for medical use works

Conduct labs to understand its applications

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Key Activities:

1. Research and Learning:

2. Laboratory Experimentation:

3. Real-Life Experiences:

From a young age, I have been exposed to tech growing up in silicon valley. Through exposure, I have learned more and more about science, and my love for it has grown deeper and deeper. While growing up in the tech hub of the U.S. i also found opportunities to see the beauty of nature and the world around us. From a young age this raised questions for me about how and why the world works. As my understanding of the infinite answer to this questions has deepened, I have become fascinated with the intersection of technology and physiology. Why did i pick this project? Why did i pick these 3 activities?

Key Activities:

1. Research and Learning: I began by immersing myself in articles and projects to grasp the fundamentals of CRISPR technology. This initial research laid the foundation for my practical experiments and further exploration.

2. Laboratory Experimentation: Going into my school laboratory, I performed a DNA extraction procedure using a strawberry. This hands-on activity provided me with valuable experience in molecular biology techniques and allowed me to visualize DNA fragments through gel electrophoresis.

3. Mentorship and Shadowing: As part of the project, I'm scheduled to visit a scientist in a professional laboratory setting. This opportunity will enable me to shadow their work, gain insights into real-world CRISPR applications, and expand my understanding of genetic engineering.

Through this project, my goal has been to deepen my knowledge of CRISPR technology, explore its potential applications, and grapple with the ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering. By engaging in practical experiments, conducting research, and shadowing a scientist, I aim to develop valuable skills, insights, and perspectives that will fuel my academic and personal growth.

going over figures I created based off of my research, --- transition

SOURCE: Research on digital learning faces uncertain future as funding sources and inquiry approaches vary

SOURCE: A fast lane to understanding agarose gel electrophoresis: Method and Tips

SOURCE:

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Nucleus of a Cell

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Nucleus

Chromosomes

Cell

Fun Facts:

A human has about 37.2 trillion cells

There are 200 types of cells in the human body

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Cell ---> DNA

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Chromosome

DNA

Gene Segment

Chromosomes are long, thread-like structures made up of DNA wrapped around proteins. DNA itself has a unique shape known as a double helix connected by chemical bases. DNA contains genes, which are specific sequences of bases that encode instructions for building proteins and controlling cellular processes. Each chromosome carries many genes. A gene segment is a specific portion of DNA that contains the instructions for making a particular protein or RNA molecule. Genes are sections of this DNA code that carry instructions for making proteins, the building blocks of life. Each gene contains a specific set of instructions for a particular function or trait, like eye color or susceptibility to certain diseases. In simpler terms, DNA is the big book of instructions, while genes are like individual chapters that tell the cell what to do.These processes are essential for the cell to function properly and carry out its specific roles in the body.

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Genetic Diseases - Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Anemia is something you're born with

Children get Sickle Cell Anemia when both parents have the gene

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Source: Taming the SRU website

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How does Gene Editing Work?

Different types of Gene Editing

Why CRISPR-Cas9 is the best

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Source : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-019-0089-y

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Step 1: CRISPR-Cas9 Tech and DNA Marker

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Genetic Marker

Guide RNA Sequence

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Step 2: CRISPR-Cas9 Cuts DNA

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Step 3: DNA is Edited by Scientists

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Specific Examples of CRISPR Applications

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Source: National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute

TRANS - disease examples using CRISPR

CaseGIVY, the groundbreaking FDA-approved drug developed by CRISPR Therapeutics, is revolutionizing the treatment landscape for sickle cell anemia. Leveraging the precision of CRISPR gene-editing technology. CaseGIVY corrects the underlying genetic defect, and for the first time offering a potential cure for this debilitating condition. Unlike traditional treatments that merely manage symptoms, CaseGIVY has the potential to provide a lifelong solution, offering hope to millions affected by sickle cell anemia. With its approval, patients now have access to a transformative therapy that holds the promise of significantly improving their quality of life and potentially even eliminating the disease altogether.

this is the impact i want to have in the future and it's an inspiration to me.

The connection of tech and biology is important to you because all of tech is built on theory and abstraction but it all comes from the physical organic human mind and body.

WRITE SOURCE: https://curesickle.org/sites/scdc/themes/scdc/images/CSC_GenetherapyInfographicSELF.png

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Experimental Procedure

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First I cut the strawberries so it would be easier to mush them into a liquid texture. The buffer I added to the strawberries breaks the cells open to release the DNA. The cells in the strawberry are separated, and the buffer breaks down the lipids in the cell membrane and nuclei. After thoroughly mixing the buffer solution with the strawberries, I added peptide as a protease-degrading cellular protein. I pour the mixture through a coffee filter which allows me to remove the cellular debris from the sample. I put my filtered sample into a tube and removed the bubbles with a pipette. Then I added ethanol which causes the DNA to separate from the rest of the solution, and a stringy white precipitate floats to the top of the tube. That is the DNA. I then split the DNA into 2 sections and placed it in 2 different alkaline buffers. Once this was done, I took the samples into my school lab, where Dr. Arnberg and Dr. Hosobuchi assisted and guided me to use gel electrophoresis to visualize the DNA.

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Physical Gel in Lab and Results

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Source: Brittanicca

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Results

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My MAGICal Experience

Highlights:

Asking questions and having an immediate elaborate answer
Having scientific conversations with Bishakha about project, and other related interests
Learning with an aim/goal in mind
Ethics in Genetic Engineering

Lessons Learned:

Communication is Key
Utilize Time

Challenges:

Prioritizing work based on the timeline
Reading scientific papers

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Throughout my mentorship, I delved deep into the world of genetic engineering. I learned to navigate scientific papers, honing my ability to critically analyze and interpret them. Project planning became essential as I learned about theoretical scientific research and conceptualizing and executing projects with precision and foresight.

My understanding of biotechnology flourished as I began to study the basics of DNA and RNA, unraveling their complexities and discovering their vast applications. Moreover, I engaged in discussions on the ethical prospects of gene engineering, talking about scientists greater responsibility to the world as a whole. This mentorship experience not only expanded my scientific knowledge and experience but also instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the ethical considerations that accompany groundbreaking scientific endeavors.

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Thank You!

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Questions?

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Tessa Sundar

9th Grade , Menlo School,

Atherton, CA

Shami Introducing Tessa

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Shami Ahuja

She works in the bay area, in computer science field managing technical projects.
She is from Mumbai, India and completed her Bachelors in Engineering in Computer Science from University of Mumbai before coming to the USA. (she currently lives in San Jose)
During her free time she likes to listen to music, cook, read, and paint
She loves to travel and learn new cultures and languages. She is currently trying to learn Spanish as she has some customers in Chile.

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Graduate Guide

Graduate Guide is a website designed to help teenagers access the resources they need to plan for college
provides information on academic courses, volunteer work, and job opportunities
It is a helpful tool to navigate the college planning process. The website offers valuable resources to make your college journey smoother!

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Graduate Guide

How far did you get?

Finished learning Javascript
Finished the website design and added the content

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Future Work

Try and figure out how to get the xml file to load on my website
Add more personalized data on the websites
Continue adding more resources

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My MAGICal Experience

Highlights

Shami and I both set goals and worked towards them and Shami would always help me if I was struggling
I learned more about the different ways you can use HTML and CSS

Lessons Learned

Learned more about javascript
Learned how to use vscode
Learned how to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).

Challenges

Had some trouble with my code
Staying on track with due dates �

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My Demo

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Here is what my website looked like in the beginning without the CSS.

(My HTML code is on the left and the HTML of my website is on the right).

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My Demo

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file:///Users/tessasundar/Desktop/Magic%20Folder/HOME/website.html

Here is what my website looks like with the css and the content

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Conclusion and future goals

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Thank you!

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Questions?

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