Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: Sergio Huerta, M.D.
Department: Surgery
Room number: Dallas VA Medical Center, 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas, TX 75216
Mail Code: 112
Phone number: 214-857-0971
E-mail: Sergio.Huerta@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Modification of gene products involved in radiation resistance to apoptosis in rectal cancers

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Basic science.

Brief Description of Project: Rectal cancer cells will be subjected to Ionizing Radiation (0, 2, 4, 6 Gy). They will then be submitted to Western Blot analysis for protein expression of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), Smac/DIABLO and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF). Cells will then be pre-treated with radiosensitizing agents (i.e., Deta/NONOate) and subjected to similar analysis.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1. Huerta S, *Barleben A, Peck MA, Gordon IL. Meckel's Diverticulitis: A Rare Etiology of an Acute Abdomen During Pregnancy. Curr Surg. 2006; 63: 290-293.
2. **Heinzerling J, Huerta S. Bowel Perforation from Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Metastatic Colon Cancer, Incidence, Presentation and Management. Curr Surg. 2006; 63: 334-337.
3. *Barleben A, Huerta S, Mendoza R, Patel CV. Left Ventricle Injury with a Normal Pericardial Window: Case Report and Review of the Literature. J of Trauma. In Press.
4. **Heinzerling J, Anthony T, Livingston EH, Huerta S. Predictors of distant metastasis and mortality in patients with stage II colorectal cancer. Am Surg. In Press.
5. Huerta S, **Heinzerling J, Anguiano-Hernandez Y, Huerta-Yepez S, Lin J, Chen D, Bonavida B, Livingston EH. Modification of gene products involved in metastatic cancer: roles of Fas, Apaf-1, NF?B, IAPs, Smac/DIABLO, and AIF. J Surg Res. In Press.
6. Siddiqui A, **Heinzerling J, Livingston EH, Huerta S. Predictors of early mortality in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. AJS. In Press.

* University of California, Irvine Medical Student
** University of Texas Southwestern Medical Student

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