2013 National Winners

Divya Arya

Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Lower Merion High School
Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Project Title:
Creating Functional Endothelial Cells from Adipose-derived Stem Cells.

Description:
The molecules sphingosine-1-phosphate, bradykinin, and prostaglandin-E1 were used to promote the expression of a critical enzyme, eNOS, in endothelial cells differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells. These molecules promote the differentiation of endothelial cells from adipose-derived stem cells. These functional endothelial cells can potentially be used to line synthetic arterial grafts to repair injured blood vessels.

Aprotim Bhowmik

Georgia BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Parkview High School
Lilburn, Georgia

Project Title:
Hemodynamic Interactions in Arterial Networks with Atherosclerosis.

Description:
I developed a mathematical model to simulate hemodynamic interactions in arterial netwroks with atherosclerosis. Based on the results of this model, I developed a novel stent configuration and a 'flow regulator' to balance and regulate blood flow through arteries with atherosclerosis. The developed stent will reduce the required pressure gradient by over 50 percent.

Michelle Campeau

Minnesota (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Mayo High School
Rochester, Minnesota

Project Title:
Effect of Manuka Honey on Bacterial Biofilms: Mechanism of Action and Effects in Combination with Antibiotics.

Description:
Manuka honey in combination with vancomycin exhibited synergy against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms Manuka honey in combination with gentamicin had an additive effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. When visualized using electron microscopy, Manuka honey had remarkable effects on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms, including distorted cell types, prevention of cell division, and less extracellular matrix.

Havisha Garimella

Maryland BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Mount Hebron High School
Ellicott City, Maryland

Project Title:
Protein Assemblies in Health and in Diseases: Biological AFM and Related Studies.

Description:
The amyloid β protein is associated with Alzheimer's. The pathogenicity of the protein is unknown. The protein requires biophysical characterization via atomic force microscopy to understand its assembly. The objectives are to record protein conformational changes and identify specific oligomers in vitro that correlate to the loss of axon function in Alzheimer's disease using AFM.

Anjik Ghosh

New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Albuquerque Academy
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Project Title:
Utilizing Traditional Ayurvedic Spices to Combat Prostate Cancer.

Description:
Samples of turmeric and neem were tested against prostate cancer cell lines to find their effectiveness against the disease. Commercially available turmeric was found to be much more potent than the pure turmeric. WST test confirmed that turmeric did not kill the dislodged cells directly.

Anna Gonye

Delaware BioGENEius Challenge Winner
The Charter School of Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware

Project Title:
The Effects of Environmental Toxins on Planarian Regeneration: Testing the viability of utilizing planarian regeneration as a method of determining the teratogenic properties of environmental toxins.

Description:
Planaria were regenerated in different chemical solutions. The functionality of the regenerating worms was tested in two different ways. The point of the project was to determine whether or not planarian regeneration is a sound method for testing potential teratogens.

Michelle Guo

New Jersey (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology
Hackensack, New Jersey

Project Title:
Novel Mechanisms of Resveratrol and Metformin: Implications in Alzheimer's Disease..

Description:
This project investigates the potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol, a natural compound found in grapes, on β-amyloid (Aβ), a harmful protein that harms neurons in Alzheimer's disease. Resveratrol caused a decrease in Aβ with and without the type 2 diabetes drug metformin and showed anti-oxidizing ability, which may improve the cells' ability to process Aβ.

Vikul Gupta

Oregon (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Oregon Episcopal School
Portland, Oregon

Project Title:
Designing and Programming a Nanobot for Targeted Drug Delivery.

Description:
Autonomous, nano-sized devices were designed and programmed for delivering medicine to diseased regions of the body, modeling artificial white blood cells. The digital design and an assembly language program were developed for identifying diseased locations and releasing the medicine there, and not in the healthy regions. Computer simulations demonstrated feasibility of this approach.

Adrian Haber

Massachusetts BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Boston Latin School
Boston, Massachusetts

Project Title:
Testing the Effectiveness of Liposomal Nanoparticle Delivery of Oxybutynin to Reduce Bladder Spasms.

Description:
My project evaluated a new treatment method for overactive bladder, which affects more than 39 million people in the U.S. I tested the effectiveness of liposomal nanoparticles to deliver a muscle relaxant drug directly to the bladder to reduce bladder contractions. This method has the potential to provide more effective relief with fewer side effects.

Adonis Lu

California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Woodbridge High School
Irvine, California

Project Title:
A Silico-Based Structural Genomic Investigation on the Effect of BRG-1 Protein and its Binding Capability to RNA on Cancer Cell Replication and Heart Failure.

Description:
Brahma Related Gene Protein structural details for tumor growth were modeled. Sequence alignment demonstrated the presence of a highly biologically active DEAD box and RNA binding motifs in the N-terminal region of the ATPase-dependent helicase domain. It was conducted that this N-terminal domain provides the main binding force for RNA resulting in specific viral replication.

Sofia Paz

Kansas BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Shawnee Mission West
Overland Park, Kansas

Project Title:
The Role of Tribbles in Drosophila melanogaster Survival During Starvation.

Description:
Drosophila melanogaster expressing different levels of Tribbles, a gene known to attenuate insulin signaling, were subjected to starvation. Survival was used as a surrogate measure of pre-starvation fat accumulation and ability to sustain glucose levels during starvation. Results supported the hypothesis that elevated Tribbles confers insulin resistance during feeding and increased survival during famine.

Christon Petersen

Kansas (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Shawnee Mission West High School
Overland Park, Kansas

Project Title:
A novel approach for cancer prevention: the use of lycopene to stimulate apoptosis in UV-damaged Sf9 cells.

Description:
Sf9 cells were damaged using ultraviolet radiation. Lycopene was then added to the damaged Sf9 cells and they were observed for 5 days for apoptotic and/or necrotic cells.

Carmen Pharr

North Carolina BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
Charlotte, North Carolina

Project Title:
Turbid Waters and Toxic Genes: The Assessment of Tetrahymena and its Genotoxicity in Response to Total Suspended Solids Exposure.

Description:
This project attempted to assess the effect TSS pollutants have on the Tetrahymena genome by drawing a correlation between the two variables. It also sought to determine if Tetrahymena species could be used as indicator species of water quality and a model organism for the human genome.

Rahi Punjabi

Massachusetts BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School
Marlborough, Massachusetts

Project Title:
Engineering a Novel Fusion Protein Therapy for Meningococcal Infection.

Description:
Meningitis-causing bacteria bind to a human protein called factor H to evade the immune system. In my project, I was developing a protein that could bind to the bacteria instead of factor H. This protein was able to reverse the immune evasion mechanism of the bacteria, and thus boost the body's immune response to meningitis.

Abdullah Shah

New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Salam Academy Family Connection Program
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Project Title:
Do not underestimate the power of ... A NATURAL SMILE!.

Description:
I used ADA's recommended method as the base of my experiment.By using the commercial toothpaste on: Tooth numbers 1, 2, and 3 and homemade toothpaste on:tooth numbers 4, 5 and 6, I divided my experiment in two parts.First part compared the commercial toothpaste with the homemade toothpaste and the second compared the individual ingredients.

Rebecca Streit

Illinois BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Oak Park and River Forest High School
Oak Park, Illinois

Project Title:
The Absorption of Nitro Explosive Residue in Soil by Candida albicans and Spinacia oleracea for Use in Bioremediation.

Description:
This project aims to determine the best nitro-explosive bioremediation agent. There were three experimental groups and one control. Two procedures were used. Data was collected from multiple trails. Statistical tests verified that data collected was not due to chance. The results confirmed that a combination Candida albicans and Spinacea oleracea is most effective bioremediation agent.

Lillian Xu

Virginia BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Western Albemarle High School
Crozet, Virginia

Project Title:
Laser-Assisted Dissection of Differentiated Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells.

Description:
My project tests whether the use of the laser aids in isolation of pure cell lineages differentiated from embryonic stem cells. By removing inhibitory factors, I was able to successfully differentiate ES cells into multiple cell lineages. By using laser, I was able to dissect and propagate two purified cell lines - cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts.

Joy Zeng

Maryland BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Poolesville High School
Poolesville, Maryland

Project Title:
Targeted Thermal Ablation of Cancer Cells Using Biosurfactant Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.

Description:
Single walled carbon nanotubes coated with the biosurfactant, HACA, have potential to be used in the targeted therapy of cancer cells. This project is the first to begin the process of evaluating and testing these nanoparticles for this purpose.

Sunny Zheng

New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School
Plainview, New York

Project Title:
Cellulose Nanowhiskers: Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Incorporation In Epoxidized Polymers.

Description:
This environmental biotechnology study seeks a novel, efficient, and ecologically sound method of extracting cellulose nanowhiskers from plant fibers using enzymes. As furtherance toward the common use of these fibers as polymer reinforcements, a vegetable-oil based epoxy is synthesized and blended with nanowhiskers. Combined, these goals allow easy development of a completely organic composite material.