This Week At CART – Noreen Marquez

Hi! My name is Noreen Marquez, and I am a senior attending my second year at The Center For Advanced Research and Technology. During my first year at CART, I was part of the Biomedicine Lab, and this year, I am excited to be a part of the Biotechnology Lab.

The Biotech Lab has a very interactive and hands-on environment. Every week is a surprise, with the curriculum evolving to be engaging while also teaching us the essentials of Biotechnology. So far we have learned countless topics, some of my favorites being: advancements in cloning, how to extract DNA, and even our own genetic history. Starting this year off, I was only interested in more biology-focused sciences, but throughout this year, the fantastic instruction and teachers in the Biotech Lab have managed to expand my love for all areas of science! As a student who thrives with hands-on and collaborative projects, the environment at CART, which emphasizes just that, allows me to learn in a way that helps me the most.

One of my favorite projects so far in the Biotechnology lab was during CART’s annual Fall Student Showcase last semester. We were divided into teams of students and tasked with creating a presentation on a topic in biotechnology that interested us personally. My group chose to focus on the genetic modification of mosquitoes and how this technology can be beneficial in reducing their populations. Specifically, we concentrated on the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, a species known for being invasive and carrying diseases in many parts of the world. The process involves injecting mosquitoes with a “self-limiting gene” that releases a protein called tTav. This protein latches onto the mosquito’s DNA and blocks the production of other proteins necessary for their survival. These mosquitoes are then fed an antibiotic,Tetracycline, which temporarily stops the tTav protein from working, right before being released. This gives the mosquitoes time to mate and pass on their self-limiting gene before dying from the tTAV protein. I found this project not only fascinating but also incredibly rewarding. After weeks of hard work and practice with my teammates, presenting the project and having a good understanding of it felt incredible. This week, we are preparing for CART’s Spring Showcase, where we will delve into the eye genetics of fruit flies!

To any students who might be interested in CART, I cannot recommend this experience enough. I’ve had the opportunity to have teachers who are caring and truly passionate about what they do, and along with this, incredible peers. AT CART, I’ve grown to look forward to walking into my classes, where the well-being and learning of the students are truly put first.