Highlights
2023-2024
At this year's Graduation Event, Cafe with Soul and the Zazyczny Family announced an incredible $120,000 donation that will fund major enhancements at PABC Teaching Lab. You can learn more about the donation HERE. We greatly appreciate the support and thank Cafe with Soul and the Zazyczny Family for the other important philanthropic work they are doing in our community.
Below: Joel Zazyczny poses with Mark Hayden and senior members of Cohort 5 at the recent Graduation Event.
Saara Sheth
The Effects of Carotenoids on HepG2 Cells: Implications for Anti-Cancer Mechanism of Action
Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett and Kevin Gerbrick
- 1st Place, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
Best Botany project for any senior in tri-state region! - 1st Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- States
- 1st Award (Perfect Score), Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals
Studies show that carotenoids, which are naturally occurring plant pigments and are found in many fruits and vegetables, could serve as potential treatment options in the treatment of all cancers in the near future. These bioactive components present in food simultaneously modulate several carcinogenic processes, including cell-cycle control and apoptosis. The purpose of my work is to identify molecular biomarkers associated with carotenoid levels, which are key in helping us understand the mechanism of action behind their anticancer activity. The compounds selected for this study were Lycopene, Beta-Carotene, Fucoxanthin, and Astaxanthin. Screening studies were conducted last year across various solution concentration ranges and incubation times. The experiment, conducted at a 10-fold concentration for all compounds with a 24-hour incubation, demonstrated that Lycopene displayed the most significant cell count difference, thereby confirming that Lycopene is the most successful in inhibiting liver cancer. However, as the concentration of Lycopene increased, limited solubility of the compound reduced its ability to interact with the cell. Building on the research conducted so far, UV scans were conducted to identify the optimal concentration range to ensure complete solubility. UV scans of all compounds in DMSO helped identify the optimum concentration range via Beer’s Law. A validation treatment trial was conducted based on the data from the range finding studies, in which Lycopene achieved an IC50. TLC was performed to identify the purity of the compounds, which is necessary to identify the protein responsible for Lycopene’s mechanism of action that will be identified and further characterized.
Saara Sheth, a graduate of CB South, will attend Northeastern University in the fall, where she will study chemical engineering. She will row on the women's varsity team. Saara is the winner the American Legion Post 210, District 9, and Cross Culture Scholarships.
Sophia Fehrenbach
Variant Expression of Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Exosomes
Mentors: Dr. Aejaz Sayeed and Daniel Zezulinski
- 1st Place, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
Best Biochemistry project for any junior in tri-state region! - 2nd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- 1st Award (Perfect Score), Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- States
- Penn State Eberly College of Science Scholarship
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals
The National Library of Medicine estimates that by 2025, millions of people will be affected by Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer. This research concerns finding biomarkers, or genetic indicators seen by up/down regulation of liver-specific genes, which reveals if a person was at a higher risk for developing HCC. This would allow doctors to treat a patient more effectively and be able to get ahead of the cancer before their condition worsened. The goal is to also develop a viable protocol for extraction of RNA from exosomes using liquid biopsy as opposed to traditional biopsy because it is a less expensive/invasive procedure that involves a blood draw rather than surgery, making it more accessible. ExoRNA is used because as it is collected from a membrane-bound vesicle, there is a greater chance of it being viable. Conclusively, data showed that 4xPEG6000, a polymer extraction matrix, yielded 3.7x more exosomes and 2x more ExoRNA than 2xPEG6000, and that gene expression of healthy plasma shows that exosomes from the liver have been collected even through the liquid biopsy blood draw came from anywhere in the body. Moreover, data shows that on average, the liver-specific gene Albumin is expressed 30x more in HCC patients, making it a viable biomarker. FTL data was inconclusive. Albumin has already been proven to be a viable biomarker through traditional biopsy; however, because it is able to be discovered as a biomarker through liquid biopsy, it confirms that this can be a viable procedure. In the future, these exosomes will be a target for cell culture experimentation that confirms if the overregulated transcription levels are reflected in protein levels.
Sophia Fehrenbach, a CB West junior, will return to the Center next year. She is fluent in Russian and German and plays the viola. Sophia serves on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council. She is a Cross Culture Scholarship winner.
Augustine Cho
Small but Mighty: Camelid VHH’s role in binding and inhibiting SARS CoV-2 spike proteins
Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett and Kevin Gerbrick
- 1st Place, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
Best Microbiology project for any senior in tri-state region! - SAPA-GP Song Li Award
- 1st Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- State Meeting
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals
My project aims to make and characterize anti-SARS-CoV-2 VHH domains to offer a cost-efficient alternative to antibody treatments. While there are cures on the market for COVID-19, the current IgG, human antibody-based vaccines are costly and inefficient to produce. To develop cost-efficient and highly effective vaccines, antibodies derived from camels called VHHs show great promise in the field. VHHs have demonstrated great thermostability, permeability, and strong binding affinities as compared to their IgG counterparts. This study focuses on a specific VHH known as the VHH E that has demonstrated the necessary properties to bind and inhibit SARS CoV-2 spike proteins effectively. The study consists of 3 phases: DNA Transformation and Production, Protein Production and Purification, and ELISA Assay Testing. Thus far, the DNA plasmid of VHH has been transformed into DH5 alpha E.Coli bacteria, and Protein production has been attempted, but the ELISA assay needed to test the binding affinity of the VHH E on the SARS CoV-2 Spike proteins has yet to be done. Attempts to optimize the protein production and purification steps are still ongoing, and further experimentation is needed to test the binding efficacy of the VHH.
Augustine, a CB South graduate, will be studying electrical engineering in the Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. He has earned a full-ride. Augustine is a National Merit Finalist.
Jaden Young
Discovery of Potent STING Agonists Enhancing Immunotherapy Using Computational Approach
Mentors: Dr. Gideon Tolufashe
- Honorable Mention, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science- State Meeting
- Karl F. Oerlein Award
- Penn State Scholarship Offers- Eberly College of Science and College of Agriculture
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science- Regionals
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive yet untreatable variant of breast cancer due to its lack of critical receptor proteins. Therapies designed to treat cancer cells via binding to these receptors are thus rendered useless. A promising solution for TNBC treatment is STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) agonists: a class of compounds that bind to and activate the STING protein for augmented immune responses to cancer. STING’s viable receptor substitutes those missing in TNBC cells and offers an alternative target for immunotherapies. This research aims to discover STING agonists for immunotherapeutic TNBC treatment. STING’s crystal structure was imported into the molecular modeling software Maestro and prepared to ensure reliable protein modeling. A test environment was established around STING’s binding site via receptor grid generation, and the dockings of 139,588 small-molecule compounds to STING were simulated. Multiple screening stages were executed to identify active compounds according to energetic scores. Of the 139,588 screened compounds, four were selected as hit compounds for future optimization and in-vitro testing. Compared to the control ligand (established STING agonist HG4), hit compounds present trimethylammonium molecules and piperidinium molecules, hydrogen bond donor capacity via hydroxyl groups, and reduced solvent exposure.
Jaden Young, a CB East junior, will return to the Center next school year. Jaden is slated to participate in the Summer Leaders Experience at West Point. He is hockey player and business owner.
Emma Dunn
Engineering an Oral Suspension of the Muscle Relaxer Cyclobenzaprine
Mentors: Frank Jones, Christine Rittenhouse, Jane Jones, Brian Jones, Claire Cosfol
- Honorable Mention, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
- WL Gore and Associates Award
- Extreme Engineering Challenge Award
- Society of Women Engineers, Philadelphia Section Award
- 1st Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- Honorable Mention, Society of Women Engineers
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- State Meeting
- 1st Award (Perfect Score), Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals
Cyclobenzaprine is one of the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers in the United States for targeting local origin muscle spasms. However, it is currently only available in 5mg and 10 mg tablets meaning that it cannot be prescribed to individuals who cannot swallow pills. Oral suspensions offer an easier, and sometimes more effective way to deliver the necessary therapeutic relief of cyclobenzaprine these people need. Pharmaceutical suspensions are liquid drug delivery systems that are most commonly used in pediatric and geriatric patients. When liquid forms of drugs are administered, they are absorbed by the body more rapidly than solid versions, and they can be sweetened and flavored for more patient compliance. Cyclobenzaprine does not currently exist in an oral suspension, so this project will attempt to create a novel dosing form of cyclobenzaprine that delivers the active ingredient in the same dosages as the current tablets. It will follow the process of formulation development, testing viscosity, and reformulation of ingredients to try to reach the ideal viscosity of 600 to 800 cP. An emphasis was placed on viscosity testing in order to increase patient compliance (patients would be unlikely to drink a thick solution) and ensure that the active ingredient is stable in suspension (too thin and the drug will not be uniform in the suspension). Based on initial testing a formulation with between 3.5 and 4 grams of high molecular weight hypromellose shows the most promise.
Emma, a CB East graduate, will attend Saint Joseph's University to study data science and mathematics. Emma was accepted into the John P. McNulty Program for Leadership in Science and Mathematics, which comes with a full-ride scholarship.
Esha Gadi
The Effects of Different Temperatures on Surface Expression of MHC Class I Molecules: Implications for Viral Infections
Mentors: Aykan Karabudak and Dr. Hager Mohamed
- Honorable Mention, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
- 3rd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
- 1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- State Meeting
- 1st Award (Perfect Score), Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals
The Antigen Presenting cell (APC) and T cell interaction is a vital interaction within the adaptive immune system. It allows our T cells to recognize infected cells, leading to resistance and recovery after a viral infection. Antigen Presenting cells (APCs), use Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC I) molecules to present potentially viral antigens to Cytotoxic T cells. This interaction primes T cells into identifying and targeting infected cells. The research conducted focuses on how a simulated fever, which is a common symptom of a viral infection, impacts the surface expression and antigen binding behavior of MHC class I molecules. Research shows that MHC class I expression generally decreases during simulated fevers. Additionally, the percentage of APCs that are displaying model antigen bound to MHC Class I molecules decreases at higher temperatures. If APCs have more MHC class I molecules present on the surface, this could cause more efficient T cell/APC interaction, which could prime the T cells more efficiently. In the long run, this research regarding the mechanisms of APCs can provide us with more information concerning the APC and T cell interaction in the adaptive immune system, allowing further understanding of this complex system within the human body and its ability to combat viral infections. Further phases in progress include determining the effects of a simulated fever on direct APC and T cell interaction and researching the effects of Influenza A on MHC Class I surface expression and antigen binding behavior.
Esha, a CB West junior, will return to the Center next year. Esha is the co-founder of a not for profit/social enterprise bakery that aims to raise monetary support to provide psychiatric care across women’s shelters
Vivian Yang
Benjamin Richlin
Sanjay Nair
Riya Mallavarapu
Jasmin Kainth
Aashish Cheruvu
Parth Vaidyanath
Nishi Vyas
Mason Smith
Diya Thomas
Vedanta Jain
Sehaj Verma
Studying biomedical engineering as part of the BS/MD program within the Drexel University College of Medicine. Sehaj earned the Rich Reif Scholarship from Doylestown Hospital.
Clara Lee
Will attend the University of Pennsylvania and will be majoring in bioengineering. Invited to join Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program. Clara is a National Merit Finalist and received the National Merit Walgreens Scholarship.
Henry Bai
Augustine Cho
Emma Dunn
