Browsing by Author "Ton, Angie"
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Item Developing an Anti-Tumor Therapy: Expression of mLIGHT Cytokine in Escherichia coli & Salmonella enterica Typhimurium(2012-04-18) Ton, AngieCurrent conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have many limitations and adverse side effects. Salmonella enterica Typhimurium has been shown to colonize solid tumors, making this bacterium a potentially useful vector for delivering cytokines that promote tumor rejection. The objective of this project is to express mouse LIGHT (mLIGHT) cytokine, a tumor necrosis factor that promotes apoptosis, as a secreted protein in first E. coli and then S. enterica. Like S. enterica, E. coli is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe, but can be used in a Biosafety Level 1 labtoratory. Soluble proteins, insoluble proteins, and secreted proteins were isolated from E. coli cultures harboring expression vectors that contain mLIGHT cDNA and the hemolysin secretion signal sequence under the control of the Trc promoter. Western blotting indicated that mLIGHT is expressed as an insoluble protein, but not as a soluble or secreted protein. These findings suggest that other promoters and secretion signal sequences need to be tested to express mLIGHT as a secreted protein. Once a construct is made that results in expression of mLIGHT as a secreted protein in E. coli, the construct will be introduced into S. enterica. The bacterium will eventually be evaluated for its effectiveness as an anti-tumor therapy in mouse models of solid tumors.Item Investigating Calcium Intake and Osteoporosis Risk Factors in Vietnamese-Americans(2010-04-21) Ton, AngieAsian Americans have a naturally higher risk for developing osteoporosis due to their genetics, lifestyle choices, and higher incidence of lactose intolerance. While data is available on osteoporosis status, risk factors, and knowledge about the disease groups in general Asian populations, little is known about osteoporosis in specific Asian sub-groups. The purpose of this investigation was to survey Vietnamese-Americans in the local community to assess daily calcium intake, general knowledge about osteoporosis and prevention, as well as other lifestyle choices that promote the development of osteoporosis. A cross-sectional survey of 80 Vietnamese-Americans between the ages of 18-70 who attended a local Vietnamese New Year event or Vietnamese Student Association gathering was used to collect data. It is predicted that Vietnamese Americans adults will not meet the recommended daily calcium intake and will not be knowledgeable about other lifestyle choices that increase their risk for developing osteoporosis. Through the information collected, we hope to gain insight into the Vietnamese community’s knowledge about osteoporosis and educate local communities on osteoporosis prevention.