nCongratulations to junior Nick Honig '11 who is one of the authors of an article entitled, "Activation of Mutant Enzyme Function In Vivo by Proteasome Inhibitors and Treatments that Induce Hsp70," published in PLoS Genetics.   PLoS Genetics is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that reflects the full breadth and interdisciplinary nature of genetics and genomics research by publishing outstanding original contributions in all areas of biology.

 

Nick has worked at Fox Chase Cancer Center in the lab of Warren Kruger for the past three years.  To summarize the article, he has been looking at a protein produced by yeast.  Hsp70 in yeast pulls misfolded mutant proteins apart like twisted rubber bands and allows them to snap back into place. Eventually a significant percentage of these proteins will snap back into something approaching a functional shape.  If this can be done in humans, it could represent a way of reducing the severity -- or perhaps correcting -- certain hereditary diseases, even some familial cancers.  Nick is in the science research program at Germantown Academy and has presented his work at science research competitions many times over the past three years.  

 

Nick notes, "Dr. Johnston was key in getting me this job.  I'm so grateful."  In response to the question, "Do you have any advice for budding scientists?" he replied, "If you love science, just keep working at it!"