BIO

Danny Alex is a local from Tallahassee, Florida. Danny is enthusiastic about research related to the medical field, as he is on the pre-med track. One day, he hopes to work in healthcare administration to assist in improving the lives of those around him. Danny loves to use his free time to play sports, such as tennis and volleyball, and to spend time with the people he cares about.

Genetic Engineering of Cell Cycle Genes in Pancreatic Beta Cells

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting millions of Americans every day. This illness stems from the body’s inability to use insulin effectively and produce sufficient insulin. Our bodies contain specialized cells called pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for fabricating insulin, which plays a crucial role in storing and transporting sugar(glucose) in our bodies, for cells to use in later processes. Through a series of meticulous procedures and testing, this research explores the idea of developing an effective system that will allow us to manufacture an adenovirus which later will be used to infect these pancreatic beta cells and promote cell proliferation. Using different procedures such as mini prep, enzyme digestions, DNA extractions, gel electrophoresis, and gateway cloning system we have been able to first develop a plasmid which we can introduce into a viral vector to create the adenovirus. Through our use of CRISPR and CRISPR a technology, we will be able to screen the adenovirus and target different genes as well as locate specific cell cycle inhibitors and activators that could be responsible for regulation of cell proliferation in pancreatic beta cells. This experiment is significant in the advancement of medicine, treatments, and technology for diabetes. It will provide a new alternative and treatment to regulate and treat diabetes. Our research is ongoing, and new results are continuously collected.

Keywords: diabetes, genetic engineering