by Bryan Ho
Introduction
I had an incredible summer experience interning at the Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology at the University of Hong Kong. Under the mentorship of Professor Rio Sugimura in the Blood Engineering Lab, I had the opportunity to dive into the world of cancer immunotherapy, particularly focusing on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) macrophages for solid tumor treatment. My role as a research intern allowed me to gain hands-on experience with cutting edge molecular biology techniques that will undoubtedly prove valuable in my future endeavors. This blog post serves as a reflection of my journey this summer, highlighting my key experiences and the impact they have had on my personal and professional growth.
Key Experiences
During my internship, I worked under my PhD student mentor, whose project was to screen a CAR library to determine the most promising construct that had the best efficacy against solid tumors. I worked on two main projects: optimizing the expanded potential stem cell (EPSC)-derived macrophage differentiation protocol and screening promoters to reduce the gene silencing effect of the CAR construct over the course of cell differentiation. My responsibilities included stem cell culture, generating embryoid bodies (EBs) using the hanging drop method, and differentiating these into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to produce immune cells such as monocytes and macrophages. I then profiled the cells with flow cytometry to determine their lineage by staining for different immune cell markers. Additionally, I helped do some molecular cloning work to generate the library of plasmids with our transgenes of interest, as well as perform the subsequent lentiviral packaging.
Understanding and successfully executing these protocols was a long journey that was not without its challenges. However, even when experiments did not go according to plan, I tried to learn from each failure and be persistent.
Skills and Knowledge Gained
Through my internship this summer, I gained a wealth of technical molecular biology skills and knowledge. I gained hands-on experience with various macrophage differentiation protocols, and learnt molecular cloning and flow cytometry techniques. Furthermore, I developed a deeper understanding of the use of CAR-macrophages and other forms of immunotherapy for cancer treatment, particular their ability to infiltrate solid tumors and modulate the tumor microenvironment.
Biweekly internal seminars and occasional guest speakers sharing their research also greatly improved my exposure to tangential fields in stem cell biology, offering a glimpse into cutting edge research being done in areas such as synthetic embryology and placenta research.
Beyond these technical skills, I also honed several soft skills. The collaborative nature of the lab improved my teamwork and communication abilities. In particular, since Mandarin was the primary language of communication in the lab, I had to essentially relearned a new set of molecular biology vocabulary but in Chinese, which proved to be a unique albeit manageable challenge. Moreover, the constant multitasking and managing multiple projects simultaneously refined my time management and organizational skills. Finally, presenting my findings to my peers and receiving constructive feedback enhanced my confidence and my presentation skills.
Impact of OKRs
OKR 1: Applying Clifton Strengths
The objective of OKR 1 was to apply my strategic Clifton strength towards designing my research experiences to improve my grad school application and balance conflicting interests. I made significant progress towards switching into a more relevant lab by reaching out to and discussing opportunities with PhD students in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Although nothing is confirmed yet, I am optimistic about securing a position by the fall semester. To navigate my classes, research, and cocurricular commitments strategically, I began self-studying organic chemistry using crash course videos and lecture slides, which I hope will lighten my workload during the semester. I also started drafting my PURA application, using my current research topic, and plan to secure letters of support soon.
Some challenges included a busy work schedule, leaving little time for self-study and application work. Progress in finding a new lab has been slower than anticipated, and there is a conflict of interest between my current lab work and my desire to switch labs. Despite these challenges, I am pleased with my progress and believe I have spent my summer productively.
OKR 2: Pursuing Personal Aspirations
The objective of OKR2 is to become more involved in the outdoors and gain all the appropriate certification in Hong Kong to prepare for a backup career. Although I have yet to fulfill my first key result of learning lead climbing and obtaining a level 2 climbing certification to be able to use public wall facilities due the lack of open classes at the moment, I have made plenty of progress on water sports. By the end of August, I would have taking all the introductory level courses for sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing, and I have begun to develop a keen interest in sailing. Assuming I pass my test, I would also have learned first aid by the end of the summer.
My summer project of learning to ride the unicycle has also been slower than expected. While I initially anticipated learning in about 2 weeks, it has taken me close to 2 months of admittedly irregular practice to finally get the hang of it. Although I can now ride in a relatively straight line for a good distance, I am still shaky at making turns and I need to hold onto something to be able to mount, so there is still a lot of progress to be made.
Overall, these activities have improved my physical fitness and added some much-needed variety to shake up my daily routines.
Lessons Learned and Conclusion
Throughout my summer experience, I learned valuable lessons that extended beyond technical knowledge. For my professional growth, I gained insights into the dynamics of academic labs in Hong Kong, and saw first-hand the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and perseverance in a successful research career. The setbacks and failures that I experienced are commonplace in the research process, and problem-solving skills and resilience are crucial to overcoming these challenges.
For my personal growth, I realized the importance of balancing professional aspirations and personal goals. Although the two are often in direct competition for my time, I crafted my OKRs this summer to promote this balance, and engaged in activities that provided a mental and physical break from the rigors of lab work.
Overall, this summer has been an incredibly fruitful experience, and as I look towards the future, I am excited to apply my lessons learned as I continue my journey in biomedical research.
