Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2009

Mentor: Scott Cameron, M.D.
Department: Pediatrics and Molecular Biology
Room number: NA5.602
Mail Code: 9148
Phone number: 8-5152
E-mail: scott.cameron@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Role of the transcription factor MEF2 in rhabdomyosarcoma

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 Research

Brief Description of Project:

After leukemias, brain tumors are the second most common malignancies in children. Among brain tumors, brainstem gliomas are fatal in almost all cases. Our goals are to develop a mouse model of brainstem gliomas and to improve our understanding of the signaling pathways that drive development of these tumors. In collaboration with the Bachoo and Maher laboratories, we have identified the transcription factor MEF2C as upregulated when the EGFR is activated in neural stem cells or astrocytes. The purpose of my summer project will be to elucidate the mechanism responsible for upregulation of MEF2C. I will use tissue culture approaches and reporter assays of MEF2C activity to determine how EGFR activation results in MEF2C activation.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students: