After the long weekend, this week seemed to fly by. With a shortened week and the second half of the immersion term beginning, I choose to use this week to go back to the basics and learn techniques needed to move my immune organoid projects forward. Specifically, in Melnick lab, I refreshed on the complete protocol of Western blots, including analysis and modifications needed to find phospho-proteins. I plan to use this technique to better mechanistically understand downstream signaling perturbations from controlled microenvironmental cues.
Second, I also learned how to extract lymphocytes from human tonsils! The mere fact of having access to tonsils that were removed from a patient less than a few hours ago both amazed and slightly overwhelmed me. Although there was the inherent pressure of maximizing yields common to any primary tissue procedure, I was excited to understand how to isolate the B-cells, specifically the germinal center B cells, from the tonsil. This excitement stemmed from the fact that the use of human B cells is essential to further the physiological relevance of my organoid platform and to begin more translational and impactful work.
After learning these techniques from Melnick lab, I began preparing to make my first organoids with human cells in Cesarman Lab. Preparations included irradiating the proper stromal cells and processing organoid supplies. In the coming week, I plan to create tonsil B cell organoids, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma organoids, and Burkitt’s lymphoma organoids that all present separate microenvironmental cues. I’m also hopeful that I will get a shipment of new material this week to conduct some additional interesting drug studies.
Aside from research, I’m excited for a few more weeks seeing lymphoma patients and working in radiation oncology. With the days of immersion winding down, I’m ready to make the most of my time left here.
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