Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: Ann Word, M.D.
Department: Ob-Gyn
Room number: F2.304
Mail Code: 9032
Phone number: 8-3825
E-mail: ruth.word@UTSouthwestern.edu
Project title: The transcription factor MiTF regulates IL-8 gene expression in cervical stromal cells

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 076-0200

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)
Patient-based and basic
Brief Description of Project:
The student will test the hypothesis that the transcription factor MiTF binds to the interleukin-8 promoter and inhibits gene expression in cervical stromal cells. Specifically, cells will be transfected with an IL-8 promoter reporter gene constructs that contain potential MiTF binding sites. One site has been shown to bind MiTF in vitro. This site will be mutated and the activity of the promoter will be determined in the absence or presence of MiTF with or without the mutated binding site. Further, mutated MiTF will be transfected into human cervical stromal cells to confirm specificity of the binding site.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
Amina Porter 1992 Southern Methodist University Talented and Gifted Student Research in Biomedical Sciences

Kristin Hahn-Cover-1993 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Smooth Muscle Myosin Isoforms in Leomyomas and Normal Myometrium"

Anthony Webb-1995 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Mechanosignal Transduction Pathways Regulate Contractile Protein Expression in Myometrial Cells"

Rupa Karkarla 1997 Albany Medical College Research Fellowship
"Smooth Muscle-Specific Expression of the Human Estrogen Receptor"

Amina Porter 1997 Yale University Research Training Fellowship
"Regulation of Cervical Ripening by 5 Reductase Type I"

Lesli Anysu-Coker 1997 UT Southwestern Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship
"Expression of 5 Reductase Type I in Reproductive Tissues of Women"

Vani Konda 1998 Brown University Research Fellowship

Nancy Hsieh 2001 Undergraduate Research Fellowship University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Diane Deng 2002 University of Texas "Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor isoforms in human cervical tissues from women before or after the onset of labor"

Ruth Anderson 2002 Trinity University, San Antonio "Effect of pudendal or pelvic denervation on contractile function of the external urethral and anal sphincters"

Alyce Martindale 2002 University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center STARS program: "Expression of calponin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain in detrusor smooth muscle of diabetic rats"

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