Nana’s Undergraduate Summer Bursary in Cancer Drug Treatments
Nana Adwoa Ampong undertook a Big C LILAC funded 8-week undergraduate summer project in Dr. Andrew Beekman’s group based in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology at UEA.
Her project investigated how to combat chemoresistance in cancer. Where she gained experience in cancer research with a flare of research and development (R&D) process.
The current problem
Peptide-based drugs are commonly used in chemotherapy; however, they have their limitations on effectiveness. Whereas, another class of drugs called small molecule drugs are gaining popularity with their targeted approach but again is limited in their effectiveness.
Making a combination small molecule-peptide drug would combine the benefits of both, whilst avoiding the disadvantages.
The research
Throughout her project, Nana looked at how two proteins interact. These proteins are involved in a process called transcription that help cells grow and function. By disrupting this interaction with the drug, this can prevent cancer growth. She successfully made a combined small molecule-peptide drug. This would need to be tested on cancer cells to see its effectiveness.
In a nutshell, making a combination small molecule-peptide chemotherapeutic drug would combine the benefits of both drugs, targeting cancer cells.
Personal Experience
This studentship has allowed Nana to experience a range of lab techniques and equipment that is normally unavailable in undergraduate labs.
Nana noted her progress over the summer; ‘At the end of the internship, there was a significant difference in the skills [compared to the beginning]’. She enjoyed applying her scientific knowledge from undergraduate lectures into real-world research laboratories.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the LILAC foundation for supporting me in this endeavour.”
Nana Adwoa Ampong
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