CATALYST Summer Research Program SUMMER 2024
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of
Genomics and Molecular Biology
Summer Research Intern
Ronald A. DePinho, MD
• Project Title: Effect of Telomere Dysfunction on Cancer Progression
o The study investigates how telomere dysfunction contributes to tumor progression and
chromosomal instability, specifically through the role of TERF2 in protecting chromosome
ends. Using colorectal cancer cell lines (MC38 and CMT93) with inducible TERF2
knockdown, the research explores the link between chromosomal instability and cancer.
Western blot analysis showed that TERF2 knockdown was effective, although antibody
reactivity issues affected consistency. Future directions include RT-qPCR analysis and long-
term studies in mice to develop strategies for preventing tumor progression and metastasis.
2022 - 2024
DevNeuro Lab
University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus, Department of Neurobiology
Undergraduate Research Assistant
José E. García Arrarás, PhD
• Project Title: Notch Gene Inhibition: Comparative Analysis During Intestinal and Radial Nerve Cord Regeneration
o The study focuses on the role of Notch signaling in central nervous system (CNS) and
intestinal regeneration using the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima as a model. Using
DAPT, a small-molecule inhibitor of the Notch pathway, we observed that inhibiting this
pathway caused delays in cell dedifferentiation and reduced cell proliferation during
regeneration of both the radial nerve cord and intestines. The findings suggest that Notch
signaling plays a significant role in regulating these processes, pointing to broader
implications for regenerative medicine. Further investigation is needed to understand the
exact mechanisms involved.
• Project Title: Role of Coelomocytes During Radial Nerve Cord Regeneration in the Sea cucumber
Holothuria glaberrima
o The study investigates the role of coelomocytes, immune system effector cells, in the
regeneration of the nervous system in the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. Sea
cucumbers can regenerate their nervous system following injury, unlike humans. To explore whether coelomocytes influence this process, we co-cultured radial nerve cord (RNC)
explants with coelomocytes for three days and analyzed the cells with antibody markers.
Preliminary results indicated a physical interaction between RNCs and coelomocytes in vitro,
but it remains unclear if coelomocytes directly impact nerve regeneration.
