BIO

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As a student in CooksLab I have the privilege of studying and participating in what I’ve found out to be a whole new and exciting research field such as Extracellular Vesicles with respect to cancer healing methods. The lab is an inspiring place and the great minds that work there, are both guides and role models. These lab individuals, and Dr. Luz in particular, have encouraged me to suggest my own research, which was approved by Dr. Cooks. I find my research topic fascinating, and it encourages me to keep studying, exploring and starting my own individual journey as a researcher. My project is about finding a connection between happy hormones, such as beta endorphin and the activation of Natural Killer cells with respect to NK EVs.

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Future Planning:

• Quantify and characterize the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from NK cells following incubation with different concentrations of beta-endorphin (BE). This will involve measuring EV yield, size distribution, surface markers, and cargo composition to gain insights into the impact of BE on EV production and content.

Based on our ;

•  We will explore the potential of EVs derived from activated NK cells treated with beta-endorphin to activate naïve NK cells. Through functional assays and phenotypic analysis, we will assess the influence of beta-endorphin-activated NK cell-derived EVs on the activation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine production of naïve NK cells. This investigation aims to uncover the potential intercellular communication and immune-modulatory effects mediated by these EVs.

• Additionally, we will investigate the effects of isolated EVs on cancer cells. By treating cancer cells with EVs obtained from NK cells activated by beta-endorphin, we will evaluate cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion potential changes. Furthermore, we will analyze alterations in specific phenotypic markers associated with tumor progression and immune evasion. These experiments will shed light on the potential therapeutic applications of beta-endorphin-activated NK cell-derived EVs for cancer treatment.

Overall, this comprehensive approach combining EV characterization, evaluation of EV-mediated effects on naïve NK cells, and assessment of EV-induced changes in cancer cell behavior will contribute to our understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of beta-endorphin and pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.