This summer, the Santerre Lab had the pleasure of working with three incredible students, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours! This is what they had to say about their experiences in the lab:
Emma Lindsay
“From my research this summer, we concluded that a 1:2 ratio of human adipose tissue-derived microvascular endothelial cells to adipose tissue-derived stromal cells more closely resembles native gingival tissue due to its formation of connected, larger, and longer CD31+ networks. I presented my work at the TRCHR TRANSFORM HF & TBEP Summer Student Showcase and the UofT Faculty of Dentistry Summer Research Program 2023 Presentation Day. My favourite skill I picked up was learning everything to do with cell culture. I loved seeing the whole process come together after culturing, seeding, staining, and imaging the cells. Next year I'm continuing my undergrad at the University of Guelph, going into my third year of Biomedical Sciences.”
Rastin Rahiminejad
“My journey as part of the Santerre Lab during this summer has proven to be an extremely enriching experience. This exceptional opportunity has significantly contributed to the augmentation of my laboratory skills and critical thinking prowess, particularly in the realm of problem-solving within the scientific domain. The conducive environment fostered by the Santerre Lab has offered a comfortable platform for inquiry and exploration, therefore facilitating the unfettered expansion of my innovative capacities across various facets. My summer research project was about evaluating “the Influence of Ester-Free Dental Adhesive on Streptococcus Mutans Virulence Gene Expression.” Throughout the course of this captivating endeavour, I had the privilege of acquiring proficiency in synthetic chemistry methodologies for the synthesis of ester-free monomers. Subsequently, I extended my skills to encompass advanced techniques in the biological sciences, such as continuous bacterial growth cultures and gene expression of the bacterial genome. Moreover, I acquired valuable experience in the domain of academic writing. The culmination of this experience was further enriched by my interactions with the Ted Rogers Center for Heart Research and the esteemed Faculty of Dentistry members. These associations have proven instrumental in not only academic growth but also personal development. I extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Zach Gouveia, whose unwavering expertise, support, and patience have been pivotal throughout the duration of this project. As I am facing the end of my journey in the Santerre lab, I anticipate maintaining an enduring connection with the Santerre Lab, a paragon of innovation in every sense, and looking forward to my future in the science world.”
Beining Yang
“My project was focused on optimizing the transfection efficacy of EGFP mRNA in C2C12 cells using poly-L-lysine coated self-assembled oligo-urethane nanoparticles (PNPs) by adding lipid additives. We found high mRNA transfection efficacy using PNPs with 1,2-dioleonyl-3-dimethylammonium-propane (DODAP) addition, which offers a novel strategy to deliver genetic materials when using genetic editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 system for genome-based therapeutics. I presented my work at the TRCHR TRANSFORM HF & TBEP Summer Student Showcase Event, where I was able to connect with peers and be enlightened by the current development in the heart failure research field. As I continue my academic journey towards the dentistry program at Trinity College Dublin this fall, I truly benefited by the hands-on experiences and analytical perspective fostered through this invaluable research opportunity within an exceptional laboratory setting. As I move forward, I intend to infuse such innovative mindset into my career development, fostering a lasting impact in patients and beyond.”