Megan, Internship completed at the University of Arizona, Cytogenetics Laboratory

As a result of winning the Tucson-area SwAEBR essay contest, I had the opportunity to participate in a summer internship at the Cytogenetics Laboratory at University Medical Center. I did not know what to expect, what I would be doing, or who I would be working with. However, I set foot in the lab with an open mind and came back with a whole new outlook on science.

Cytogenetics is the study that links chromosome aberrations with pathological conditions. Because DNA is tightly wound to form chromosomes, the access to this set of genetic information is extremely useful. For example, in this clinical situation, chromosomes are analyzed to determine if they contain abnormalities. Chromosome analysis may present information to help diagnose various congenital or prenatal abnormalities and even some types of cancer. Most commonly, chromosome analysis is performed on specimens of amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, bone marrow, skin, and blood.

As a summer project, I was assigned to follow through in performing the entire process of chromosome analysis on my own blood. It was a very interesting and involved procedure. After my blood was drawn, it was added to media, and the culture was incubated for three days. After centrifugation, the cells wee mixed with a hypotonic solution to swell them and thus spread out the chromosomes. At the end of another incubation and centrifugation, fix was added to the T-cell lymphocyte pellet. It was repeatedly centrifuged and fixed until and ideal white pellet and supernatant were achieved. Then the cells were pipetted onto slides, and I microscopically analyzed the slides to find good spreads of chromosomes in metaphase. After twenty metaphases were analyzed (to rule out chromosome abnormality) the best spreads were put under the photo microscope and pictures were taken. Following developing and printing, I cut out the chromosomes and learned that I did indeed have a : 46, XX normal female karyotype. However, my chromosome analysis was not the only assignment I accomplished.

I had many other responsibilities as a student in the cytogenetics laboratory. Included in the regular tasks of lab maintenance was bleach making, slide cleaning and filing, pipette stocking, centrifuge cleaning, and many other jobs. Also, I became experienced in the processes of photo microscopy, film developing, and printing. To obtain good chromosome banding and morphology takes practice. In addition, I had the opportunity to lean how to karyotype the printed chromosome spreads. One will eventually memorize the characteristics of each of the 22 homologous pairs and two sex chromosomes as I did.

When one is placed in such and interesting environment and allowed to absorb so much helpful knowledge, it is only natural to have many questions. My internship in the cytogenetics laboratory induced a great deal of pondering; I came to a realization about how little I actually know about the medical field. It was wonderful to see first-hand why biomedical research is so important to mankind.

It was particularly interesting to have the opportunity to observe and be a part of a laboratory in which such important, cutting-edge accomplishments are performed. Interning in a cytogenetics lab is more rewarding than simply reading about it in a book. The many new discoveries make it exciting to take part in a field that necessitates the knowledge of current information. I also did not realized how crucial preparation and quality control are in order to run an efficient and successful laboratory.

Additionally the experience helped me to learn about the importance of the responsibility that can be applied to any professional position. This summer internship was beneficial in so many aspects and has increased my interest in entering a career in science. I am very grateful that the Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research took the time to place me in such an enriching atmosphere, for it was an experience I will never forget.

KC, Internship completed at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale

For my summer internship through Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research (SwAEBR), I worked in a research lab at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale in the Johnson Medical Research Building. The goal of the internship was to give me the chance to see what role animals play in biomedical research.

I worked with a gynecologist who was doing his one-year research fellowship. The goal of his study was to prevent the adhesions, or sticking together, of the abdominal organs following gynecological surgery. This study seeks to use an adenovirus to produce hyaluronic acid to prevent the adhesions in the abdominal cavity. I assisted a senior research technologist with some of the in vitro studies, like the culturing and amplification of the virus. I also tested the newborn mice to see if they contained a segment of DNA from a transgenic line of mice. We had to check each individual mouse to see if it was positive or negative for the gene.

I had a chance to observe what the Transgenic Core does in animal research. They are able to change the genetic structure of a mouse by adding a DNA sequence to a fertilized embryo. It was neat to see how they inject the DNA into the egg under a microscope. Then they implant the egg in to a pseudopregnant female mouse. I never knew that they are also able to preserve the embryos of mice in liquid nitrogen for years, and then thaw them to implant them in the uterus of a female mouse. The mouse will then give birth of these mice and nurture them as though they are her own.

On certain days I had the chance to work with the cardiology lab in their studies of the heart. Using a dog as a human model, they would simulate a heart attack. Then they would take different ultrasound images of the heart to test its performance before, during, and after the heart attack. This project could one day save the lives of people that are having heart attacks. On another project, they wanted to investigate the normal heart rate for a mouse. There had never been any research on the baseline heart rate patterns for a mouse. I had no idea that a mouse’s heart rate could range from just over two hundred beats per minute to over eight hundred beats per minute. This data could be very valuable to researchers all over the world who use mice as an animal model.

This was the first chance to see how animals are used in research. Now, I understand that these animals have given researchers a powerful tool to test and simulate diseases. These animals receive the best care that is possible from highly trained animal care technicians. Only the smallest amount of animals needed are used. If a procedure is required, they are put under anesthesia to eliminate any chance of pain and suffering to the animal. In addition, pain medications are given following any extensive procedures to ensure their well being.

I am happy to say that this internship gave me the chance to see exactly how animals are used in research. Many lives could be saved by this type of research using animals. Now with this understanding of animal research, I would like to continue working in this field and perform either basic or clinical research after I receive my medical degree. I could later with my medical degree, help save lives by testing and perfecting new procedures on animals before they are used on humans.

Jessica, Internship completed at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale

Initially, when I wrote my essay for SwAEBR I was interested in the psychological sciences far more than the science of biomedical research. While I had an understanding of the field, I could not have possibly imagined all that it encompasses. Publicly, we only seem to hear about the inhumane treatment of animals. Although I was well aware of the true nature of biomedical research, I had never really experienced it hands on. But, here at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale I was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to see exactly what this field is all about first-hand.

The internship began for me in the midst of self-confidence, which soon became fear of incompetence. The first few days, I was humbled beyond belief at the overwhelming amount of knowledge that the men and women in this building possess. I had no idea what I had just gotten myself into, and yet I enjoyed every minute of the high paced stress of having so much knowledge thrown at me so rapidly. For the first time, I really felt like I had someone challenging me to the fullest extent.

Soon after those first few days passed, I began to get oriented with my surroundings and I was able to begin doing more and more on my own. I was quickly introduced to the principles and practices of the field, as well as those at the Mayo Clinic. The knowledge of the humane treatment of the animals, and the need for these animals in the research field became more than the knowledge of regulations and laws that all researchers must follow. It instead became part of my day-to-day routine here at Mayo.

Primarily, we work with mice here for the research that is being conducted, but I was aware of a few other animals as well. For instance, there are a few rats, and hamsters as well as dogs here for the research. Each of these animals are given the best of care. It was incredible to see the things that are done to ensure their health and well being aside from anything other than the specific illness necessary for the experiment being conducted. Only those animals that are absolutely necessary to fulfill the objectives of the principle investigators are used, thus ensuring that we don’t have unnecessary repetition. All research necessary is conducted with minimal pain to the animal, and each animal is under anesthesia when any procedures that may be considered painful are done. The practices and procedures that are conducted are carried out in a routine manner to ensure that the best care is always given to these animals.

While we give the best care possible to these animals, there are times where an open cavity procedure is necessary. For instance, in the course of my internship here at Mayo, I was able to perform surgery on a few of the mice that otherwise would have been euthanized. For the surgical procedure, the mouse was placed under anesthesia and I injected live, fertilized embryos into the oviduct of a pseudopregnant female. It is incredibly rewarding to see mice pups born just three weeks later, knowing that you injected those embryos into the mother.

Working in the Transgenic Core was an incredible learning experience every day. Aside from the surgical procedures, I was also taught all of the basics of murine husbandry and each of the steps involved in the making of transgenic mice. To actually have a chance to observe the injection of DNA into the single-cell embryo and see that embryo become a full-grown mouse only weeks later is an intensely inspiring experience. Although it makes sense, one of the more interesting tidbits I learned while working with the mice is the procedure for making pseudopregnent females. Rather than making things complicated and invasive we just mate the females with vasectomized males, and the female’s bodies then believe that they are pregnant until we can inject live embryos into their oviduct the following day.

Aside from working in the Transgenic Core, I also was able to observe a few cardiovascular procedures on a dog. The final procedure was an incredible experience to observe. Never before, had I been so fortunate to see the heart of a live animal beating in the open cavity. Also, although I had seen ultrasonic images before, it was nothing like this. You could actually see the valves of the heart opening and closing one a TV monitor.

As well as learning things related to biomedical research, this internship gave me the opportunity to learn a thing or two about myself. I became far more aware of my interests in this field and after the initial fear of incompetence, I actually became more self-confident. As  I mentioned, I’d never been challenged like this before. I had no idea that I’d be able to learn so much in such a short time.

As the kind of person who seeks challenges, this has definitely been something I have enjoyed immensely. Never once was I able to become bored; I loved it! I’d like to thank SwAEBR, the Mayo Clinic, Suresh, and especially Stephanie for giving me such an opportunity. Without the support of Suresh and Stephanie, as well as the training from Stephanie, this summer would not have been possible. This internship has certainly been something I will never forget.