Another exciting week! The first three days were packed with literature search and lab work. After talking to Dr. Nanus and Dr. Gakhar, we have decided to integrate the characterization of MDA-Pca-2b prostate cancer cell rolling into the study by performing a series of experiments varying shear rate and E-selectin concentration. Since our lab is specialized in this type of experiment, Dr. Nanus will be sending us frozen MDA-Pca-2b cell along with prostate patient samples to perform buffy coat spiking experiments. We also tested several other prostate cancer cell lines such as DU145 and LNCap. Interestingly, although these cells express E-selectin ligand, they do not roll on the functionalized E-selectin surface. This is most likely due to the distribution of the ligand on the cell membrane.
On Thursday, I observed a kidney transplant surgery (that I’ve been waiting for weeks). The recipient is a 14 yr old boy diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a major cause of nephrotic syndrome in children and adolescents. He has an identical twin brother who had a transplant surgery last year. The patient suffers from chronic renal insufficiency at stage (CKD5), a progressive loss of renal function over a period of months or years. Patient’s mom, a 44 yr old healthy female, is the donor. Dr. Del Pizzo, who has vast experience in the laparoscopic and robotic treatment of kidney and adrenal tumors, kidney sparing surgery, and living kidney donation, successfully harvested the kidney. Single-incision laparoscopic kidney removal was performed, which offers minimal risk and quick recovery and allows the kidney to be taken out easily. Upon removal, the kidney was submerged in ice-cold saline solution, cleaned (blood and excess fat) and placed on the lower right of the patient’s abdomen and surgically connected to nearby blood vessels.
On Friday, Matt and I shadowed Dr. Sperling at the Emergency Department. I will be writing about my experience later next week since I would lie to go back to the ED and observe more cases.
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