Each result unveiled something new to understand and pursue regarding the immune system and cancer. — Jaclyn Kline

 

BY | Jaclyn Kline ’18
Portland, Oregon
Biology, Community and Global Health Concentration

During this past summer, I conducted cancer immunology research in the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Systems Biology alongside Macalester alumna and Harvard PhD student Camilla Engblom. At the same time, I participated in the Harvard Medical School Immunology Summer Program for Undergraduates. Together, these experiences facilitated a comprehensive learning experience about cancer immunology research and immunology as a whole.

At MGH, I worked in Dr. Mikael Pittet’s Lab, where I assisted Camilla with investigating the interaction that occurs between bone and lung tumors. Specifically, I looked at the effects of a particular protein that was found to be more abundant when there is a tumor present.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. I used a lung cancer model and a combination of flow cytometry, histology, and gene expression analyses to gather data. I also conducted in vitro cell culture experiments. Although not every experiment produced the expected outcome, each result unveiled something new to understand and pursue regarding the immune system and cancer. Thus, it was never wholly disappointing, but rather like putting together a puzzle.

I learned an array of techniques: how to properly use a sterile hood, culture and expand cell lines, build panels for the flow cytometer and more—tools I can use in future research. Camilla also encouraged me to come up with an experiment that required creativity as well as investigation into literature.

At Macalester, I first became interested in immunology in my first-year course with Professor Devavani Chatterjea: Bodies on Fire: Inflammatory Diseases of the Twenty-First Century. Learning about the immune system, in both a concrete and conceptual way, introduced me to this mysterious system that has far-reaching relevance to medicine, public health, and our daily lives. From there, in various courses such as Cell Biology, where I interviewed an immunologist at the University of Minnesota; Organic Chemistry, which unveiled mechanisms behind biological systems; and Genetics, where I learned about techniques to manipulate genes; Macalester courses have provided me with the tools to apply myself in a research setting.

I began my research experience in my second semester at Macalester by working in Dr. Chatterjea’s lab, which is run like a graduate student lab. Students are able to conduct research year round and develop new hypotheses about the immune system with their findings. My participation in this lab provided me with amazing opportunities and experiences in research as an undergraduate. In it, I have learned many techniques that I used at MGH this summer as well as how to present and analyze my findings.

Being at MGH and Harvard Medical School, I have discovered the atmosphere and community in scientific research to be incredible. Collaboration is abundant, as is teamwork. It has been inspiring to be in a place that is a hub for cancer immunology research, as I have had the privilege to hear from and engage with many scientists who are pioneers in the field. 

Jaclyn’s research is supported by a Beltmann Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 

September 10 2016

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