Ground-breaking research by three Grade 12 students from St. Elizabeth Catholic High School has earned the first place prize in the 2009 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge (SABC) in the Greater Toronto region.
“High Frequency Ultrasound Analysis of Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells in Vitro”
Alessandro Caroti, Ellie Shuo Jin, and Hans Tee
St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
The students’ research demonstrated that high frequency ultrasound could be used to test the effectiveness of a cancer therapy drug by detecting cell death in leukemia cells. This would be a relatively quick, non-invasive diagnostic technique enabling doctors to alter the drug type and/or concentration to provide more effective treatment and minimize side effects.
2nd place:
“Characterization of Oseltamivir Resistant Isolates of Influenza A H1N1″
Giulia Pizzuto, Amanda Carroccia, Giordana Cortese, Maurice Pasternak
St. Elizabeth Catholic High School
This project involved the genetic analysis of strains of flu that were prevalent in 2008 and how they were related to drug resistance. These observations could be used to predict areas within the viral genome that provide a greater ability of a virus to be resistant to the anti-viral drug, oseltamivir.
3rd place:
“Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells for Waste Treatment and Electricity Generation”
Juliana Xie,
Earl Haig Secondary School, North York
Juliana’s research investigated ways of using sediment microbial fuel cells to treat organic waste and produce electricity as a byproduct. This technology has the potential to provide a clean source of energy from waste products. The highlight of this project was the simplicity of the materials needed to make the fuel cell.
In addition, Juliana’s project was awarded the prize for having the Greatest Commercialization Potential.
4th place:
“Determining the Function of Gli2 and Gli3 Transcription Factors During Renal Morphogenesis”
Fiona Haxho,
Northern Secondary School
This project investigated the role of two special proteins in kidney development and how they interact with one another. This work related to common human renal disorders and is important in determining the process of proper kidney development.
5th place:
“Benzimidazole-638′s Effects on – Tubulin Sequence and Its Applications in Cancer Treatment”
Iman Ashali, Jonathan Boss and Ashley Di Meo,
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School
The project researched of the potential effects of using an obsolete pharmaceutical drug in the treatment of cancer. The research showed that this drug affected the ability of a wide variety of cancerous cells to divide and has potential to be a candidate for future clinical trials.
The prize for the “Best Project From a School New to The Competition” was awarded to Tessa Karunakaran, l’école secondaire catholique Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel, Thornhill.
“Effect of Hormones on Angiogenesis”
Her project involved the investigation of epinephrine, a hormone produced during stress on angiogenesis, which is the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones.
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