To many of us, the cure for cancer seems like something born from science fiction — a far-off abstraction widely spoken of but not yet achieved. However, the combined efforts of Associate Professor of Biology Kimberly Dickson and senior Arlet Montalvo-Mosso in what has become the latter’s senior experience may be small steps towards this seemingly unattainable goal.
Montalvo-Mosso has always been interested in microbiology and in how the smallest parts of us work to keep our bodies properly functioning. As is the case with many scientific disciplines, however, there is much left to discover in her field of interest. Knowing this, Montalvo-Mosso wanted to take part in something novel. So, when the opportunity arose towards the end of the 2021-2022 school year to work with Dickson on her research on ribonuclease inhibitors (known more simply as RNH1), she was quick to join.
Since the summer of 2022, the two have been working to further understand RNH1 and how it interacts with the protein it inhibits, called angiogenin, which is responsible for numerous important processes in humans, such as controlling blood vessel growth — important, since rapid growth has been linked to the spread of cancer — and keeping the neurons in our brains healthy. Dickson entertained the possibility that since there has not been substantial research on the topic, the inhibitor and the protein may do far more for our bodies than we know.
From the beginning, their research process has not been easy. Both participants recalled the heavy troubleshooting they had to put their original approach through in order for the experiments to begin working. Most of their work last summer centered around cellular cloning to create variants and protein purification, a process in which proteins are isolated from a complex mixture of cells, tissue or whole organisms. Montalvo-Mosso recalled purification to have been one of their most difficult jobs due to what she called the “tough” structure of RNH1. However, thanks to long hours in the lab over the summer, the angiogenin have been isolated and are ready for experimentation with their inhibitors. According to Dickson, it is all thanks to Montalvo-Mosso’s hardworking nature and dedication to research.
“Arlet does really great work,” Dickson praised. “Careful, organized, rigorous…If it weren’t for her excellent skill and attention to detail, we might not be making such good progress now.”
The two already have their next steps planned; now that the protein has been purified, they want to begin studying the difference in each of the protein’s individual variants to see how RNH1 inhibits them differently. Once they successfully complete this in vitro, they hope to move onto repeating the process in actual cells.
Ultimately, they hope to learn about how angiogenin can denature, allowing biological abnormalities such as uncontrolled blood vessel growth — critical to cancer growth — to occur. Dickson believes that once the relationship of the protein and RNH1 is better understood, more effective medicines and genetic therapies can be developed to help prevent this degeneration and its harmful effects.
While Montalvo-Mosso reports no significant research milestones just yet, she also recognizes how far they have come in this novel project. The study is far from over, and even once she presents it as her senior experience, there will be much left to discover about angiogenin and RNH1. However, the unwavering dedication shown by both her and Dickson has made the dream of curing the incurable seem a little less like science fiction and a little more like a step forward.