Matthew E
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Yale University
Expertise
Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Disease Modeling with Patient Derived Stem Cells
Bio
I am a Ph.D. Candidate at Yale University studying cardiovascular disease modeling using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell models. I study the mechanisms by which our vasculature experiences dysregulated cellular growth, and identify therapeutic interventions to restore homeostasis. I am passionate about teaching and mentoring, particularly when it comes to human physiology, and enjoy working with students to further develop our understanding of how the human body functions at any level of detail.Project ideas
Using Stem Cells to Model Human Disease
Our ability to model human disease in the laboratory environment is fascinating, and ever expanding. In this project, you will investigate induced pluripotent stem cell technology, and understand how we can take a small sample of skin or blood cells and transform them into any type of cell in the body. We will first cover the fundamentals of this approach to provide a solid foundation from which to build through reading and analyzing seminal papers in the field and discussing the relevant biology. We will then work together to identify a specific disease of interest, and you will learn to detail the process of modeling that disease in the lab and determine how to study the intricacies of its pathology.
Organic Spectroscopy: Solving Molecular Puzzles
Do you like puzzles? How about drawing pictures based on a series of clues? When we are handed a colorless solution, how can we identify compounds that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye? The answer: organic spectroscopy—a field which seeks to discern the identity of compounds based on their intrinsic chemical properties. In this project, you will be introduced to the terms infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS), and we will learn together how to use the information from these techniques to identify organic compounds. We will work through interactive examples to take given spectra and draw the appropriate compounds based on our collective knowledge. You can then work to produce a creative writing piece or scientific manuscript on how to use these techniques as a friendly introduction to an advanced topic in chemistry.
RNA versus DNA Editing: In the Body and in Modern Technology
Our collective biological knowledge allows scientists to do amazing things, notable among them the editing of the DNA genome and fine tuning the prevalence of messenger RNA transcripts. In this project, you will learn about biological hijacking and the importance of transcriptional and translational flux. Following a brief introduction to editing techniques such as CRISPR and RNAi, we will discuss therapeutic applications of these models and outlooks for future medical uses. Final projects can include essays or scientific manuscripts detailing the application of these techniques to provide prolonged or even permanent correction to genetic diseases, potential benefits and drawbacks concerning clinical usage, and related ethics regarding the sequencing of the human genome.