Amelie Gormand

Industrial Placement (10 weeks), Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc, Dundee (UK)

The aim of this project was to optimise an antitumour drug developed by Cyclacel. This drug was tested on pancreatic cancer cells in combination with relevant drugs available on the market. The cytoxicity of each drug was assessed using Alamar Blue to optimise the concentrations of the drugs to combine. The effects of the different drug combinations on the cell cycle were measured by flow cytometry.

PhD Thesis (3 years), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Glasgow (Glasgow, UK), supervisor: Pr. Walter KOLCH

“The Crosstalk between ERK and cAMP Signalling Pathways in PC12 cells”

In PC12 cells, ERK signalling pathway is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation depending on the growth factor stimulation (EGF or NGF). Moreover cAMP enhances the differentiation of PC12 cells. I am investigating how ERK pathway is used to generate proliferation or differentiation and the role of cAMP in this process using siRNA technology, Western blot to quantify protein phosphorylation and kinase assays. This research is also part of a multidisciplinary project with the Bioinformatics Research Centre (University of Glasgow) aiming to create software to simulate biochemical pathways.

MRes Project (10 months), Department of Bioscience & Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, UK), supervisor: Pr. Iain HUNTER

“Cloning and expression of the putative activator for oxytetracycline biosynthesis by Streptomyces rimosus”

The aim of the project was to isolate the gene that may activate the biosynthesis of the antibiotic oxytetracycline, and clone it into an expression vector to express its protein. The gene of interest was isolated and amplified by PCR. It was then cloned, sequenced and subcloned into an expression vector. The construct obtained was introduced into different E. coli strains and the protein obtained was extracted and purified for further investigations.

Research Project (2 months), Institute of Urology & Nephrology, University College of London (London, UK), supervisor: Pr. John HOTERSHALL

“The role of oxaluria (kidney stone) on the mitochondrial release of superoxides by renal epithelial cells in rats”

The aim of the project was to study the influence of oxaluria on the level of superoxides produced by renal epithelial cells. Rats were fed with different diets to produce (or not) oxaluria. After collecting the kidneys of these rats, the level of superoxides was measured by chemiluminescence. In parallel the consumption of oxygen was measured by oxygen electrode to confirm the superoxides were produced in the mitochondria of these cells.