Students are busy at Hamilton--busy engaging in meaningful scientific inquiry, busy collaborating with fellow students and faculty researchers, and busy exploring pathways to careers that make a difference. In fact, the work of one undergraduate team may lead to new treatments for breast cancer. Guided by Winslow Professor of Chemistry George Shields, a national leader in computational chemistry, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Karl Kirschner, students are studying the structure of peptides derived from alpha-fetoprotein, a naturally occurring protein known to inhibit breast cancer. Their work uses the new Science Center's supercomputers to perform highly accurate theoretical simulations that offer the promise of life-saving new treatments for the one in ten women nationwide who face breast cancer.
One of these peptides is a family of naturally occurring compounds known as enediynes. Frank Pickard '05, a former student researcher, explains that enediynes "have drawn a large amount of interest as anti-tumor drugs because of their incredible ability to cleave DNA, and kill cells." These compounds, however, indiscriminately kill both healthy and cancerous cells. Shields and his students' have focused their research on exploring ways of modifying the compounds to be more selective towards killing cancerous cells.
Kat Lexa '05 worked with Professor Shields for two summers. Her research became her senior thesis. Lexa explains, "The largest challenge with my research is that virtually nothing is known about the molecule I am studying, not its structure, not its receptor site, not where in the cellular system it is able to inhibit breast cancer."
Shields helps the students with their research, however, he likes the students to work "as independently as possible." He prefers to allow them to figure things out for themselves and come to him when they need assistance. He describes his summer research program as an apprenticeship, and a way to teach students how to be scientists. According to one of his apprentices, Heather Michael '07, "Professor Shields serves as a faithful and patient consultant always offering encouragement and insight." Shields and his students' research continue to be on the forefront of anti-cancer drug treatment.
