Sicheng Pang

Hello, this is Sicheng. I am a junior major in engineering and minor in biology. In summer 2022, I worked on binding assays and apoptosis assays of engineered proteins that bind tumor biomarker mesothelin, working with mesothelin-positive cancer cell lines. I am currently working on adding a peptide detection tag at the end of one of the engineered mesothelin-binding proteins, to enable further flow cytometry and microscopy assays. I started with designing DNA primers and applying recombinant DNA methods before expressing and purifying the modified protein. The purpose of adding the detection tag is to enable us to observe where the engineered protein binds and is trafficked in the cancer cell, without needing to directly label each new variant with fluorophore, allowing us to more rapidly characterize and compare multiple variants that are possible cancer-targeting molecules.

Outside of class, I have played flute for 12 years, and I’m a member of Smith college orchestra. Also, I volunteer in Diggity Dogs Service Dogs, where I help train smart little dogs into excellent service dogs. In my free time I love watching anime, cooking, and going to vintage stores.