DAVID tomlinson

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1.     Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I am working with Dr. Pearce this summer to examine Huntington Disease via the movement of mutant Huntingtin protein aggregates in flies and how resulting neural degradation can lead to behavioral deficits.

2.     What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

I love that when I look at my research and then to the other lab members, that I can easily see connections and feel that I am contributing to the larger picture of the Pearce Lab.  I feel that it is truly amazing that on any given day you can see our lab members all doing different types of experiments and despite the variety in projects, each one is fundamentally linked to one another.  When I get to listen to the other lab members speak about their work, it is always able to provide me with greater insight into my work and potential future applications.  In such an environment, you can’t help but feel constantly inspired.

3.     What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

My experience so far has led to a lot of brain dissections and imaging protocols.  However, I have also been learning how to confirm the genetic content of a fly, how to create a new fly line with the genes necessary for an experiment, how to express those genes in certain areas of the fly brain, and how to use that location specific expression to examine how mutant Huntingtin proteins can cause damage to a certain brain region and how that damage relates to certain  changes in fly behavior.  Overall, I have been learning about and applying knowledge of genetics and factors of genetic expression through my work.  My brain dissection ability is certainly my most improved skill.  After creating a fly that contains and is expressing the gene that I would like to image and collect data on, I have to anesthetize the fly, sacrifice it, and remove the brain from the fly so that I may image it.  Initially, it was challenging because the procedure is done with forceps under a microscope, which requires precision and unique hand coordination.  I am very glad that with all the practice I have been getting through my project, my ability to perform these dissections has improved in speed and quality.

4.     What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

Through my dissection and imaging experiments, I have been tracking how mutant Huntingtin protein aggregates may move via differences in the fluorescence of two markers that reflect the presence of the aggregates.  One of these markers is one that has not been used in the lab before and I had various trials trying to nail down the specifics of the best way to collect data for this marker on the lab’s microscope.  Additionally, while preparing the fly brains to be imaged on the microscope, I faced challenges in getting the brains just right so that the images on the scope looked correct.  If the brain is off a little bit, is slightly angled, or moves while preparing the slide, the brain can become difficult to properly image.

5.     How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

Through my personal experience in experimenting but also in the knowledge I’ve gained through reading the literature surrounding neurodegenerative disease, my confidence as an aspiring scientific professional has been bolstered.  More importantly, the research has instilled in me a strong hope and excitement regarding the possibility for a future where neurodegenerative diseases will become legitimately curable or at least largely treatable.  At the same time, this experience and the parallels between the neural damage seen in flies and humans has provided me with a higher level of reverence for Huntington Disease patients.  Though I aspire to be a doctor and my passion is in clinical work, it is clear to me that the basis of treatment always rests upon developments in research.  My experience in USURF and in the Pearce Lab has cemented a deep respect for research and established a permanence in me to remain current on research developments and to involve and apply them clinically throughout my prospective career. 

6.     Tell us something interesting about yourself.

  I am currently applying to medical school, with a strong interest in neurosurgery and psychiatry.  In my free time I enjoy practicing

  music, relaxing with family, and learning new things!