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Marco Tjioe ’09 (North Sumatera, Indonesia) is discovering a lot about himself during research he is performing this year.
“I’m finding that biology – which I thought had died in me – is very interesting,” says Tjioe, who is simultaneously pursuing a B.S. mechanical engineering and an A.B. with a major in chemistry.
Tjioe describes his work – applying a computer modeling program to a protein with potential for the treatment of breast cancer – as a project that “opens up a new career possibility in a bio-related field, which I had once assumed would never work for me.”
Tjioe is collaborating with Bradley Antanaitis, associate professor of physics, through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
Tjioe and Antanaitis are studying peptides derived from a protein called alpha-fetoprotein found in pregnant women, fetuses, and individuals with cancer. The protein is of great interest to the medical community because it inhibits the action of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer cells, giving it great potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of the most common type of breast cancer.
Tjioe’s research combines molecular modeling with information from one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies in the hope of deciphering the peptides’ three-dimensional structure and identifying their physiological receptors.
NMR is a technique for analyzing compounds by immersing them in a strong magnetic field, then stimulating them with radio waves in order to generate a spectrum that can be used to elicit detailed structural information.
“Aiding us in our quest is HyperChem 7.5, a relatively new and extremely versatile molecular modeling program that runs nicely on desktop PCs,” Antanaitis says. “We have already obtained high quality one-dimensional and preliminary two-dimensional spectra and used them to guide the modeling program. Subsequent work should lead to synthesis of related compounds that are even more effective than the originals.”
Tjioe’s is studying two peptides, each of which resembles a nine-unit portion of the protein from which it was derived.
“Right now we know which structure of the cyclic nonapeptide is better than others, but we do not know why,” Tjioe adds. “This is what our research is trying to figure out. I have a very positive perspective on this project, and that is what inspires me to keep going. Understanding how the drug works, for example, knowing its mechanism of action, would directly translate to our improved ability to engineer and design efficient cancer-fighting drugs, further impacting a greater understanding towards cancer and estrogen with its wide family of related hormones.”
Tjioe spent last summer doing background research and becoming familiar with the software, as well as with the ongoing work being done by physics major Dan Flynn ’07 (Kingston, Pa).
“We hope to combine Tjioe’s work with Dan Flynn’s high quality NMR spectra,” says Antanaitis, who believes the students’ work may well lead to a paper suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presentation at a scholarly conference.
Tjioe appreciates the guidance of Antanaitis, whom Tjioe says is a caring and understanding professor interested in biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine.
“He allows a great deal of independence in the research while providing a clear direction,” Tjioe says. “He is a good source of reference and always welcomes new initiatives.”
Antanaitis appreciates Tjioe’s intelligence and work ethic.
“I am impressed with his natural love of learning and his drive to master difficult material and methodologies,” he says. “Marco’s solid background in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, and his obvious enthusiasm and dedication in the lab convince me that he will be a real asset to my research program. He is an absolutely delightful junior colleague.”
Tjioe believes Lafayette provides the perfect academic setting for undergraduate research.
“Lafayette is an excellent academic environment for projects like this because you are doing things at your own pace, and a lot of times it is you who decides how much you will work and what you want to achieve,” he says.
Antanaitis regards Lafayette’s EXCEL program as an outstanding way for students to enhance their academic experience.
“This signature program provides valuable research experience of a kind that transcends knowledge gained in the classroom,” he explains. “The independent, hands-on nature of EXCEL work requires participants to be resourceful and think quickly on their feet. They also learn that many problems in the real world require patient persistence for solution. I derive real gratification from the opportunity to interact with and be stimulated by these young, inquiring minds.”
Tjioe was part of a group of 25 students and five professors who participated in the Environmental Protection Agency’s P3: People, Prosperity and the Planet Student Design Competition for Sustainability in Washington, D.C. last May. Two teams from Lafayette competed against 39 other teams representing 21 colleges and universities nationwide. Tjioe’s team developed a sustainable water supply and sanitation system for a remote valley village in central Honduras, incorporating available mountain springs to avoid pumps, minimize treatment, and protect the upgradient watershed.
Tjioe is a member of Lafayette’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, International Students Association, and Table Tennis Club. He also participated in an externship with Richard Teets ’77, vice-president and general manger of Steel Dynamics.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty students were accepted to present their research at last year’s conference.