Cancer Research Leads to Publication for Six Students and Alumni

For many years, Robert Kurt, assistant professor of biology, has researched how chemokines, substances that cause cells to move from one place to another, can have detrimental effects on the body’s ability to fight diseases such as cancer.

Vital to his research has been a group of six students who have been cited as co-authors in the article, “Functional and Molecular Activities in T Cells Induced by CCL5,” published in the February issue of Immunological Investigations.

The students who have helped Kurt throughEXCEL projects and independent study are:Teresa Cridge ’06, who graduated with an A.B. with majors in biology and government & law; Kari Horowitz ’04 and Michelle Marinucci ’05, who both graduated with B.S. degrees in biology; Kathryn Rose ’06 and McKenzie Wells ’05, who both graduated with B.S. degrees in neurology; and Mike Werner ’07(Neenah, Wis.), who is pursuing a B.S. biology and an A.B. geology.

“The research could not have been done without the students,” Kurt says. “It was only through their independent study and EXCEL projects that the research was completed. Overall, they did a tremendous job; otherwise the results would not have been suitable for publication.”

The article describes how the chemokine CCL5 negatively influences a subset of white blood cells called T cells, which are important for fighting diseases such as cancer. When T cells are exposed to the chemokine CCL5 for prolonged periods of time, they lose their ability to function properly. The reason behind improper functioning T cells was also investigated. In order for T cells to fight disease, they must interact/communicate with other cells. Kurt and the students found that the T cells were unable to communicate with other cells because they possessed molecular alterations in the cell membrane.

Wernerconducted research examining how increased exposure to CCL5 alters T cell proliferation, a process that produces an army of antigen-specific clones. His data suggests that augmented levels of CCL5 inhibit the proliferative abilities of T cells. This is consistent with research conducted by the other students, which found similar adverse relationships.

“In my opinion, the opportunity for undergraduate research with engaging professors is Lafayette’s strongest asset,” Werner says. “It removes your face from a book and puts you in direct contact with a community of scholars that is upfront, interactive, and global. Then, when it is time to pick up the book again, you are humbled, for you have participated in a dynamic process that is larger than any individual.”

Marinucci, who is doing research in the field of oncology pharmacogenomics at the University of Pennsylvania, also believes in the benefits of student research at Lafayette.

“Participating in independent research at Lafayette is valuable preparation for the future regardless of the career one is pursuing,” she says. “Science is greatly altering our way of life and it is important to attain a firm foundation of its principles. Although the project I am currently pursuing is quite different [from Kurt’s], independent research at Lafayette provided me with a concrete understanding of basic science and has subsequently provided great opportunities after graduation. By participating in independent research I developed the knowledge, skills, and confidence to defend research findings and pursue additional topics in biology.”

Kurt is a leading cancer researcher whose work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, and National Institutes of Health. Since joining the Lafayette faculty in 2000 he has engaged more than 25 Lafayette students in his research program.

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 this year’s conference.