Working in Dr. Kacena's Lab

My internship site is centered with Dr. Kacena’s research work with the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Melissa Kacena is a professor in the department of Orthopaedic surgery at IU School of Medicine. In 2002 she earned her Postdoctoral Research Associate at Yale University School of Medicine. The overall research goal of Dr. Kacena’s laboratory is to improve the understanding of the interaction of the bone and hematopoietic systems, thereby potentially improving the treatment of metabolic bone disease, hematopoietic disorders, and fracture healing. To achieve this goal, her research program focuses in different areas. The area I will be collaborating is the molecular mechanisms underlying bone repair/fracture healing.

As a trainee in Dr. Kacena’s lab I have learned molecular and cellular bone biology techniques such as RNA extractions, qPCR, and Crystal Violet cell staining. I have also observed and becoming familiarized with vivo fracture healing models. Additionally, I have overcome my fear of mice and have learned to handle them with care when feeding and weaning occurs.

From this internship cite I hope to continue learning knew molecular techniques as well as become fulling comfortable with the techniques I already know. For example, when performing RNA extractions, it is extremely viral to keep every step sterile and be able to accurately and precisely conduct the experiment in a timely manner in order to obtain the desired results. It is my goal to expand my comfort zone and eventually complete twenty samples of RNA extraction at the same time instead of three. Additionally, I hope to fully master the complete handling of mice. I want to be able to complete mice ear punching and tail sample extraction independently.

Mastering these skills will open doors to new opportunities in my chosen career field. The skills I am learning are definitely transferable as well as technical skills I will needing if I chose to continue doing research and working in a laboratory setting. Working with vivo fracture healing models will strengthen my skill set and make my resume unique. Overall, as an intern at Dr. Kacena’s lab will allow me to build new skills but also use and strengthen my existing talents by equipping me with laboratorial confidence and independency in performing experiments.