Timothy Nguyen, undergraduate in Dr. Songhai Chen's laboratory, and Shao Zhang, undergraduate in Dr. Justin Grobe's laboratory were both selected to represent the University of Iowa at the 13th Annual “Research in the Capitol” day on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. Each year, just twenty students from each of the three major state universities (the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa) are selected to present their research in the Rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Des Moines. State legislators, Regents, and guests are invited to interact with the students and learn about the exciting research being performed by undergraduates at these major research institutions. Student presenters represent all disciplines across each university, and both Tim and Shao will represent both the Department of Pharmacology and the College of Medicine for this event.

Timothy Nguyen
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Major: Biology
Mentor: Songhai Chen

Identification of novel tumor suppressors in breast cancer by an in vitro/in vivo genome-wide CRISPR screen

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second-most common cause of cancer death in U.S. women. Despite diagnostics and treatment advances, advanced metastatic breast cancer remains incurable due to its developed resistance against treatments such as tamoxifen. The machinery driving tumor metastasis and the ability to nullify therapies remains largely unknown. To identify new molecular mechanisms assisting in the persistence of breast cancer, we performed an unbiased CRISPR-based genome-wide screen and identified a large set of genes. These genes, when silenced, could potentially confer tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Our recent studies have identified two of these candidate genes, NFKB1 and NEGR1, whose downregulation promotes breast cancer cell growth in vitro (cultured cells), suggesting that they may have tumor suppressive properties. This study aims to verify the function of these genes in breast cancer progression and response to drug treatment, both in vitro and in mice.

Shao Yang Zhang
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Mentor: Justin Grobe

Clarifying the Neurobiology of Vasopressin Control: Role of Angiotensin AT1A Receptors on Magnocellular Neurons in Osmotic Homeostasis

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone generated within specific nuclei of the brain, which is secreted in response to blood loss and cardiovascular hormones such as angiotensin. AVP acts at the kidney to cause water retention, and on blood vessels to cause constriction - ultimately to retain blood volume and maintain blood pressure during cardiovascular insults such as hemorrhage or dehydration. Inappropriate increases in secretion of AVP are implicated in various blood pressure and fluid balance disorders.  Thus, our team is working to understand the neurocircuitry that mediates the control of AVP secretion. Here we have utilized cutting-edge microscopy, genetic, surgical, and cardiovascular phenotyping methods to clarify the sites of action and functions of major angiotensin receptors in the control of AVP secretion. Insights gained inform our understanding of the neurobiology of AVP, which ultimately informs the delivery of care for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, obstetric and trauma medicine.