Applying for INTEL ISEF
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:05 pm
Hi!
My research is on psoriasis. Here is a small background for my research: T helper 1 (Th1) cells have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, where serum IL-2 levels are often elevated. Plant extracts, such as indigo naturalis extract and cocoa polyphenol extract, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, endothelial cells, and epidermal cells in vitro. However, cocoa polyphenol extract have not been investigated in psoriasis. We hypothesized that cocoa polyphenol extract will have an anti-inflammatory effect on Th1 cells, and decrease their production of IFN-gamma and IL-2. Findings showing that this plant extract can suppress Th1 production of IFN-gamma IL-2 would provide evidence for its potential role as therapeutic agents in treating patients with psoriasis.
I did the experiment at a lab affiliated to McGill University during this summer after doing the extraction of polyphenols from cocoa powder at a biochemistry lab at Université du Québec à Montréal. The experiment went pretty good and my hypothesis got confirmed. At 20 micrograms/ml, cocoa extract decreased of around 84% the amount of IFN-gamma and the resuls with IL-2 were also very good.
BUT, I realised while trying to apply for INTEL ISEF at Youth Science Canada that I had to fill out some forms BEFORE doing the experiment which I haven't done. Also, for the experiment, we had to use the spleen of a mouse since we were going to treat afterwards the splenocytes with my extract of polyphenols. To remove the spleen, we had to euthanize the animal solely for my project. AND I have to mention that it's the researcher who was supervising me who done that step. I would like to know if there is a way that I could still participate even if I haven't filled out the forms and also, is it ok that we had to perform euthanisia for the purpose of my project, can I still apply? I also have another question: what is IACUC approval form and did I had to fill it out before starting the experiment? Also, my last question is about the forms that I have to fill in, should I fill in the vertebrate animal form AND/OR the human or vertebrate animal tissue form?
I am very confused with all the forms that I have to fill out and the complexity of the application for INTEL ISEF. However, I would really like to participate in this amazing competition and I would be very grateful to you if you could help me out by answering my questions.
Thank you.
Minuoja
My research is on psoriasis. Here is a small background for my research: T helper 1 (Th1) cells have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, where serum IL-2 levels are often elevated. Plant extracts, such as indigo naturalis extract and cocoa polyphenol extract, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, endothelial cells, and epidermal cells in vitro. However, cocoa polyphenol extract have not been investigated in psoriasis. We hypothesized that cocoa polyphenol extract will have an anti-inflammatory effect on Th1 cells, and decrease their production of IFN-gamma and IL-2. Findings showing that this plant extract can suppress Th1 production of IFN-gamma IL-2 would provide evidence for its potential role as therapeutic agents in treating patients with psoriasis.
I did the experiment at a lab affiliated to McGill University during this summer after doing the extraction of polyphenols from cocoa powder at a biochemistry lab at Université du Québec à Montréal. The experiment went pretty good and my hypothesis got confirmed. At 20 micrograms/ml, cocoa extract decreased of around 84% the amount of IFN-gamma and the resuls with IL-2 were also very good.
BUT, I realised while trying to apply for INTEL ISEF at Youth Science Canada that I had to fill out some forms BEFORE doing the experiment which I haven't done. Also, for the experiment, we had to use the spleen of a mouse since we were going to treat afterwards the splenocytes with my extract of polyphenols. To remove the spleen, we had to euthanize the animal solely for my project. AND I have to mention that it's the researcher who was supervising me who done that step. I would like to know if there is a way that I could still participate even if I haven't filled out the forms and also, is it ok that we had to perform euthanisia for the purpose of my project, can I still apply? I also have another question: what is IACUC approval form and did I had to fill it out before starting the experiment? Also, my last question is about the forms that I have to fill in, should I fill in the vertebrate animal form AND/OR the human or vertebrate animal tissue form?
I am very confused with all the forms that I have to fill out and the complexity of the application for INTEL ISEF. However, I would really like to participate in this amazing competition and I would be very grateful to you if you could help me out by answering my questions.
Thank you.
Minuoja