Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My friend & I want to do a Science Fair project on cancer, and found several that study the effect of foods such as garlic, curry or ginger on the growth of "crown gall" tumors on sunflower or tomato plants.
We would like to use the pin-prick method to transfer the A. Tumefaciens from an infected plant to healthy seedlings for the experiment, let the tumors develop for 2 weeks and measure the size of the tumors as a starting point. Then we would dilute the spices in water, add it to the plants and observe / measure them 3 times per week for 2 weeks (is this a good period of time?) to see how the tumors are affected.
Is it safe to handle A. Tumefaciens in our house? Can we get sick from it (airborne or otherwise)? My mom had breast cancer earlier this year (she's totally fine now), so I don't want to expose her to any unnecessary hazards. How would we safely dispose of the plants when done? Also, what application does this experiment have (if any) to cancer treatment in humans? If none, what practical application does this experiment have?

Student, 5th grade Science Fair Project
Due January 16, 2012

Hi poctaviaj,
First off, I think your science project idea is really awesome!
To answer your questions:

Is it safe to handle A. Tumefaciens in our house? Can we get sick from it (airborne or otherwise)?

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a type of soil bacteria that only infects plants, so it is absolutely not harmful to humans (unless you're a plant!). You are very considerate to think of your mother's health, so rest assured; the bacteria will not make any of you sick.

How would we safely dispose of the plants when done?

These plants do not pose human health hazards, so you may simply put them in the garbage after you are done. If you'd like to take extra precautions, you may also boil them (with a parent's help!) before disposal. However, it's not necessary.

Also, what application does this experiment have (if any) to cancer treatment in humans? If none, what practical application does this experiment have?

This is an excellent question.
Cancer in humans is typically caused by something wrong in DNA duplication (and thus, cell growth & regulation), but there are viruses that can cause cancer. These viruses are called Oncoviruses ("onco" stands for cancer), and can cause cancer in a person by transferring its own DNA or RNA to host cells. Some examples of DNA viruses are HPV (human papilloma virus) and KSHV, a type of skin cancer. RNA viruses include hepatitis B & C, which are associated with liver cancer.
Although Agrobacterium tumefaciens is not a virus (it's a bacteria), it also "transmits" by inserting a fragment of its own DNA into the host cells. An application you can make to cancer study is testing how DNA transfer occurs in plants--and if the successful takeup of foreign DNA can be affected by any substances (i.e. your "spices"). While bacterial DNA transfer and viral transfer are very different mechanisms (and human & plant cells are very different), the basic relationship is DNA transferal between an invader and a host.

I will ask around for some ideas on how to carry out this experiment and get back to you, for this is a very interesting--and very challenging!--project. In the meantime, talk to your teacher(s) about this idea, and post back what topics come up .

Best of Luck!

Thank you for all the great information ! You have really helped me to understand how plant cancer research can help us understand human cancer . I can't wait to hear more.

It turns out we have to change our project because of the recent finding of a possible link of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to Morgellons disease in humans, http://www.ehow.com/about_6313255_agrob ... sease.html. We want to change to a project where we measure if different marinades will reduce carcinogens (PhIP) in grilled meat. We think we need access to a mass spectrometer to do the measurements, but have no idea who or where to go to find one. We were told that our district high schools do not "loan them out" because they are delicate instruments. We asked if we can arrange to use one with supervision, but it's not looking good.
So here are the questions I have:
1. Does anyone know where we can go to use a mass spectrometer in the Dallas area?
2. Is there any other instrument (that is easier to get) that can measure heterocyclic amines (PhIP) in meat other than a mass spectrometer?

We would be grateful for ANY ideas!

Hi there,

Your best bet for using delicate equipment like a mass spectrometer is to ask a lab at a local college or ask the teaching labs at your local community college. If you explain that you need to use it for a science fair project, and can arrange a schedule that will allow you to use it with supervision, you can often find folks willing to help.

Good luck!

Heather

Great job coming up with a new project! I have judged science fairs before and many of the students had sponsors and/or help from professors and universities. Its completely acceptable as there is no other way for students to have access to such equipment. I'm not sure if there are any pharmaceutical companies around but maybe they would even help.

Good luck!

Thank you both so much! I am chasing down leads now!!!