Ethan Xie (2027) | Molecular and Cell Biology
Ethan is a SURF L&S scholarship recipient, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and working with mentor Roberto Zoncu, a professor in the Molecular Therapeutics Division. For his SURF project this summer, Ethan is investigating why brain cells break down in certain diseases by focusing on the cell’s “master control center,” or mTOR. By examining mTOR regulation and a protein called VPS13C, which delivers healthy fatty acids to the brain, we may learn whether VPS13C can potentially help protect the brain from neurodegeneration.
How did your research question or process change over the course of the summer?
When I started the summer, I had a few candidates for cholesterol transporters which could potentially affect mTORC1 activity. As I screened them one by one, I gradually narrowed down my search to a specific protein called PDZD8, which has turned out to be much more interesting than I initially expected. The uncharacterized functions I found led to many new questions which have prompted me to learn new scientific techniques and skills.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
I faced many challenges, particularly regarding gene knockdown efficiency, or “turning off” specific genes. The method I was using (lentiviral shRNA) wasn’t consistently strong enough to get the results I needed. To fix this, I spent time to permanently delete the gene instead of temporarily silencing it. This made my results much more reliable.
What was one of the most exciting aspects of your research project that you were able to pursue?
One of the most exciting parts of my research was the use of my lab’s amazing laser microscope to do high resolution imaging via immunofluorescent staining. This allowed me to see the intracellular localization of proteins and added another layer of beauty to my results.
Did your research entail any travel? Fieldwork? Use of new technology, novel equipment or methodologies?
Unfortunately, I did not get to travel much outside of conferences. I did get to use a bunch of super cool equipment via the molecular therapeutics initiative though!
What skills did you develop that you didn’t have before?
It’s kind of boring, but I believe the most important skills I have developed are not technical. I think the focus of my summer was to learn how to think and efficiently conduct experiments to answer key questions without getting sidetracked.
Have you had any opportunities emerge for you as a result of your summer research?
I have been provided the opportunity to work full time on this project in my lab for the coming semesters, which I am very excited for. It is rare that undergrads have the freedom to pursue their own project at universities.
Are you thinking about or currently applying to graduate school or scholarships to support future research?
Yes, I am planning to pursue graduate school and am in the process of applying to fellowships at the moment.
How did participating in the SURF (specifically the programming–the research cluster meetings and workshops) support your research process or feelings of preparedness?
SURF fostered a fantastic community where I could openly ask questions and participate in interesting workshops throughout the summer. They also provided a lot of freedom in advising and scheduling as to accommodate my very busy summer.
What was it like working with your faculty mentor/ research advisor?
Roberto Zoncu and Alex Maya-Romero did a great job in training me and making sure that I was on the right track with my project. I am very thankful to them for all the support they have provided. I also believe that the culture of the lab has really helped foster my interest and passion for biomedical science.
How did being part of this program support or shape your research experience?
The SURF program has given me the opportunity to test some of my own ideas and run a lot of independent experiments, which is what research in graduate school is all about. As such, I feel much more comfortable in my decision to do research, and I believe this program has been key in providing me with that insight.
What resources or opportunities provided by the program were most valuable to you?
I believe that the most valuable resource for me was undoubtedly the stipend I was provided for the summer. I was initially planning to return home for the summer because housing in Berkeley is quite expensive, but the stipend helped me independently afford a place to stay. It allowed me to focus on the research instead of the many financial challenges that come with being an out of state university student.