University of Illinois Veterinary Student Summer Research Training Program
2008 Mentor Profile
Amy MacNeil
Assistant Professor ,
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory/Pathobiology
Project Description:
The project I have available would fit under the Translational Research category. The student would be working closely with three groups in the veterinary college; pathology, surgery, and oncology. The primary goal of the project is to isolate and culture cancerous cells from neoplasms that have been removed from feline patients. The student would keep track of feline patients that are admitted in to oncology, be involved in cytological and histological diagnosis of the neoplasm, identify patients that are scheduled for surgical removal of a tumor, isolate cells from the tumor, and culture the cells in my laboratory. Characterization of the tumor type is likely to include immunohistochemical staining. The student will also learn to perform Western blots to detect caspase activation and Akt phosphorylation status in the cells. Time permitting, the student will develop RT-PCRs for detection of type I interferons in the cells. Ultimately, the isolated cells will be used for in vitro testing of different cancer treatments with an emphasis on the effectiveness of pox virus oncolysis.
Dr. MacNeil's biosketch page
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