Project
2006-7: a Library-based project
“The present role and potential future of
using cell-division history to measure cell proliferation”
Outline
When a cell divides it halves the
protein content between its daughters. If the protein has been labelled with
a fluorescent tag the brightness halves. After a period of proliferation,
the successive halving can be measured by a flow cytometer.
The frequency distribution of the classes of cells with halving intensities
indicates the cell-division history. The project is (i)
to comprehensively review the past literature about this technique (ii) devise
new possibilities including clinical applications, especially where too few
cells are available for conventional flow cytometry
(iii) refine statistical methods for data-reduction. A hands-on
demonstration of this technique will be given, but there will not be a
lab-based research programme.
Only students who have
successfully completed the Information Retrieval part of the Foundation course will
be accepted. Students who are
not frightened by some (quite simple) Maths will be preferred.
(from
Key Reference
Lyons, A.B., J. Hasbold, and
P.D. Hodgkin, "Flow cytometric analysis of cell
division history using dilution of carboxyfluorescein
diacetate succinimidyl
ester, a stably integrated fluorescent probe" in Methods in Cell Biology, Vol 63. 2001. p. 375-398. Available
in RSL at Biol. Per. 78a.
Timing
I expect to make a prompt start in Trinity Term week 5,
for one week. Then 5 weeks to complete, at student's preference. later that term or over the
Meet to discuss
During Trinity Term week 2, after my Info Retrieval
lecture in MSTC; or at any of the associated workshops in the MSTC CAL during
week 2
email Simon
Hunt