Project Info

Name: Prashanthi B.

Grade Category: 10-12
Team Size: 1
Subject Area: Biotechnology/Health
Project Type: Experimental/Innovative
Language: English

Lab Facilities

All experiments were conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, under the mentorship of Dr. Whitman and Ms. Jessica Gage. Summer assistantship was provided by Dr. Morley, under the Sanofi-Aventis program.

Preliminary research: January to March 2006
Project development: April and May 2006
Lab work: June to August 2006

A description of the Software Tools used: Macromedia Dreamweaver, Windows Movie Maker, Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Fireworks.
A mention of the Hardware Tools used: Please refer to procedure

A mention of the Source of the Idea for the project: Prashanthi B. , research papers and mentor, Dr. S. Whitman and Ms. Jessica Gage (please refer to originality for more information)

A listing of any Awards won for this project in 2006:

- Aventish Biotechnology Challenge - 2nd prize ($1500 cash prize, paid research position @ a reasearch facility) and National Research Council award ($300 cash prize)

- Ottawa Regional Science Fair - 1st in category, selected to represent at Nationals

- Super Science Fair Winner

- Dupont Challenge

- Winner of Sliver Medal @ Canada Wide Science Fair

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that is a result of plaque build-up on the inner lining of the artery walls. It has been identified as one of the leading causes of heart related deaths. Little knowledge exists about its cause and cure. Through my extensive research, I began to understand the development of atherosclerosis and the influence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) on the disease. The objective of my experiment is: “To profile the cytokine expressions of Apolipoprotein E (apoE) knock-out mice’s macrophages exposed to P. gingivalis. In specific, to compare cytokine expressions between foam cells and macrophages.” A three part experiment was conducted at Ottawa Heart Institute: Part I: preliminary steps, Part II: foam cell formation and Part III: the primary experiment: cytokine assay. In the Part I, four male apoE-/- mice were harvested to obtain peritoneal macrophages and infected with P. gingivalis. In the Part II, foam cell growth was monitored using two procedures: TLC plate and foam cell assay. This was done to ensure that the foam cells that are needed to incubate in the Part III actually produced of foam cells. The cytokine assay was conducted and the expression level of each cytokine was noted by comparing brightness levels of individual cells to the positive control. From this, percentages that measured each cytokine’s expression were obtained.

The observations from my research conclude that:
• There was a strong presence of foam cells, ensuring that no sources of errors were present.
• When expression levels of five significant cytokines were studied, there was a decrease in the value from non-infected and infected tests of non-loaded macrophages.
• There was an increase in expression levels of native low-density lipoprotein (nLDL) when infected. The results indicated that importance of foam cells in atherosclerosis development, in particular that of nLDL. The increased expression of the nLDL showed that atherosclerosis could be diagnosed at a young age, without it becoming a lifestyle problem.
The present experimental study outlined that a definite relationship exists between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. This is an indicator for early signs of atherosclerosis in patients.

Past site: www.virtualsciencefair.org/2006/bask6p2/

Some images were obtained from Microsoft Clipart Online