Biotechnology at CCSF - Aurelie Fuentes

AurÉlie Fuentes

Aurélie earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and immunology in Montpellier, France. Shortly after graduating, she traveled to the United States and ended up settling in the Bay Area.

“Adjusting to my new life here was challenging and took several years; learning English, starting a family, and making a living temporarily put a hold on my ambition to work in science.

Over time, though, as I grew more accustomed to being here, this ambition reawakened. Still, I worried that being a non-native English-speaker, an immigrant, and a new mother might present too many challenges to starting a career so late. Fortunately, taking classes in CCSF’s Biotechnology department helped build my confidence back up and reminded me how passionate I am about science. I am now proud to be able to show my family, and my young son in particular, that anything is possible so long as you put your mind to it.”

Stem Cell Internship: Conklin Lab, Gladstone Institutes

Project Title: Cell Line Engineering Using CRISPR Technology to Model Genetic Blindness

Project Abstract: A genetic macular dystrophy, known as Best Disease, is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the retina. The mutations are located in the BEST1 gene that encodes the bestrophin1 protein, an ion channel essential for a good vision. For unknown mechanisms, mutations induce loss of central vision overtime. To further study the impact of this protein and to model the disease, we have successfully generated isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines of our main patient using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology. We created and validated a homo- and heterozygous knock-out (KO) of the BEST1 gene. In the future, these iPSC lines will be differentiated into RPE and their phenotype will be compared by RNA seq, gene and protein expression. After differentiation, we hypothesize that the heterozygous line will show a wild-type phenotype because it is known that one healthy allele is enough. On the other hand, the double KO line might be lethal or have a patient phenotype.

Aurélie_Fuentes_CCSF_CIRM_Stem_Cell_Internship_CRISPR_Conklin_Lab.pptx

Click here if you would like to hear Aurélie's presentation.

Aurélie in the tissue culture room at Gladstone Institutes.

Aurélie is interested in translational research in biology involving stem cells.

She plans to continue her education and get a PhD in biomedical science.

Aurélie plating hanging drops of mouse embryonic stem cells to induce differentiation at CCSF in the Stem Cell Technology Course.

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AurÉlie Fuentes

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