Translational Medicine Lab at UNCW

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Some TML peeps racing for the planet!

UNCW faculty, staff and their families supported the Nc Aquarium Society during the Race for the Planet 5K! Community Engagement with partners for good! WTG! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🌎

It was a busy week for Dr. McCall and Dr. Minn's research team! First was the poster showcase on CHHS Research and Innovation Day. Next, the 14th Annual Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Research Symposium. Dr. McCall was awarded best research podium presentation on "Immune modulation of THP-1 human monocytes by Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)". Many of their research students were also able to participate and did a wonderful job.

Publication alert 🚨

Dr Laurie Minns’ impactful publication focusing on caregiver challenges, caregiver responses, caregiver coping strategies, and description of tangible needs that would help glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) caregivers.

PhD candidate, Mayra, is back! Here she is counting SJCRH30 cells on a hemocytometer so we can assess her compounds’ effect on Brevetoxin toxicity.

One of the first lab skills any scientist needs, pipetting. Here is First Year Research Experience (FYRE) student Meredith, trying her hand at repeatable and accurate pipetting.

New cell line alert! MRC 5 are fibroblast cells frequently used as a transfection host.

That’s a wrap on Fall 2023! Enjoy the break.

The preclinical research lab had a visiting PhD candidate from Florida International University. Mayra is using Dr McCall’s receptor binding assay to explore anti-toxin possibilities.

Dr. McCall starting off the semester in the lab.

PreClinical Research (minus one member) is ready for the Fall 2023 semester. Have a great year everyone!

Wrapping up another great semester in the PreClinical Research Lab

DIS student, Thomas, applies the acid stop to his Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). He is quantifying TNF cytokine release from human macrophage cells.

DIS student Brady with Dr. Minns. We are so excited that Brady is graduating from UNCW and heading to medical school at Midwestern University in Chicago. 👏🏼🥳 👨‍⚕️

Under the scope Friday. 1) Differentiated THP-1 macrophages. 2) Differentiated and M1 stimulated THP-1 macrophages. This model is the bread and butter of immune research in the PreClinical Research Lab. Notice the morphological differences in the cells.

New assay coming to the PCR lab. RT-qPCR analysis! We think it’s very fitting. 😂 DIS student Thomas, research specialist, Kate Sausman, and PI, Dr. Minns.

New cell line alert! 🚨. The PCR lab has recent stocked Hep G2, a human liver cell line frequently used for liver metabolism, toxicity studies, and more. It provides the PCR lab an in vitro model for hepatocyte research.

Job open at the center for marine science! https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/26875

DIS student, Brady, extracting RNA from treated cells. The RNA will be analyzed by qPCR for gene expression.

DIS student, Brady, changes the media on his THP-1 cells to start his serum starve step.

Ariel is sampling seawater as part of grant “Enabling accurate field based testing for shellfish farmers with optimized toxin extraction and stable standards”

Have a great Fall semester!

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) student Tarah presents her poster to the PreClinical Research team. Tarah was a great team player and learned a lot about cell culture and immunological assays over the summer.

Clinical Research Honors student Ruby prepares to analyze human cell line, THP-1, on flow cytometry after a week of stimulation and treatment. The supernatants will also be analyzed for secreted cytokines using ELISA.

Congratulations on your most recent publication Dr. McCall! https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/20/6/348
“These findings, which support future collaborative studies for the inter-laboratory validation of CTX detection methods, will help improve ciguatera risk assessment and management.”

Celebrating Dean Hardy’s achievements and legacy!

Join Dr. Minns from the PCR lab tonight!

Honors student, Ruby, applies toxins to THP-1 cells, a human monocyte line.

Hot off the press! https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/20/4/233

Honors student Cassidy is subculturing her Jurkats, a human T cell line.