Faculty and Student Teams Program

Project Descriptions

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Biosciences Division

Development of Imaging Techniques to Identify Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

Requesting applications from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology to work on the following projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Project Description

The existence of cancer stem cells has been a topic of intense clinical and biological studies which has far-reaching implications for cancer patient management. Developing tools for identification and molecular analysis of cancer stem cells is an area of our focused research, and imaging the cancer stem cells distinctively forms an essential component of these studies. Recent advances in techniques using nanomechanical forces as signal offer unprecedented opportunities for studying structural and biochemical properties of single cell with high resolution and sensitivity. One of the techniques that utilize nanomechanical forces is atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM and its variations can be used to obtain surface topographic information and subsurface structural images of cells and biomolecules with nanometer resolution. In addition to surface analysis, nanomechanical responses also offer unique ways of investigating many biochemical properties of cells, and can also be used for specific molecular recognition. These imaging technologies can therefore enhance the imaging potential for cancer stem cells, when these cells are isolated or exist in tissue sections. We will develop imaging applications for topographical surface analysis and identification of specific stem-ness molecular markers, with an ultimate goal of developing a diagnostic tool.

Laboratory Contact: Ram H. Datar, M. Phil., Ph. D. Senior Staff, Nanoscale Sciences and Devices Group, datarrh@ornl.gov

Applicants’ Responsibilities and Relationship to Project

Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at the Laboratory for up to 10 weeks during the summer of 2008. The exact appointment period in the time frame of June to August will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the host divisions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the successful applicant. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their campuses to participate in the FaST program. The faculty member will provide some mentorship to students during the summer research activities. The faculty and students must participate as a group and serve their appointments concurrently. It is expected that the faculty member and the students become an integral part of the research team working on this project and that opportunities for continued collaboration may be identified.

Qualifications of Ideal Candidates

The selected Faculty will have an ongoing prostate cancer research program with requirement of novel imaging techniques to identify the cancer stem cells and understand their impact in disease progression.
The selected student will be expected to understand the disease pathology and know the basic cell and molecular biological techniques. He/she will be expected to devote up to 10 weeks time conducting in vitro research along with their Faculty mentor and the ORNL supervisor.

Support and Financial Commitments

The successful candidate will receive a stipend based on the academic salary, travel expenses to and from the Laboratory, and a housing allowance. Students recommended by the faculty member for participation in the program will receive a stipend of $400/week for each week at the Laboratory, plus a housing allowance, and reimbursement for transportation expenses to and from the ORNL. Funds are provided for this program from the US Department of Energy, Office of Science in partnership with the National Science Foundation, from ORNL, and from other sources.

See Financial Information.