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Regular updates from students in TRIP

Growing Fond Of The Fruit Flies... by Anoosha Shukla

4/25/2023

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Hi everybody! Sitting in the lab right now. Counting up some pupae. Loving this developmental data collection. I truly savor every moment in the lab: soaking up knowledge from the instructors, TAs, my labmates, and of course, the fruit flies.

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What have the flies taught me? They have taught me patience and persistence. No matter how many times I go over the female fertility assay steps in my head, flies manage to escape from every single vial. But, I feel myself getting better at working with flies. Now, I can sort flies faster and differentiate embryos from poop using a dissection microscope!
In all honesty, I did not think I would love fruit flies this much. I especially enjoyed the kick-off experiment and presentation. I looked at how black cohosh (a plant native to North America) and a high sugar diet affect female fertility. Just from four weeks of a kick-off experiment, I already feel more confident in my lab skills and communication skills. I found that black cohosh increased female fertility while a high-sugar diet decreased female fertility. Presenting my findings to the class was a rewarding and insightful experience. The TRIP environment is supportive, yet always challenges me to improve. ​
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After everyone’s amazing kick-off presentation, we got started on independent project brainstorming. To give some context for my decisions, note that I have hyperhidrosis in my hands, meaning that my palms are always sweaty. Smudged pen and damp papers have always been victims. Handshakes are my worst enemy. When consulting a doctor about my condition, I was prescribed an antiperspirant with aluminum compounds. The doctor was hesitant about this option, given the recent controversy of aluminum as a carcinogen. However, there are no non-aluminum antiperspirant solutions to palm hyperhidrosis, other than a botox injection! Aluminum compounds in deodorant and antiperspirants have spiked controversy due to the concern about it causing breast-cancer by increasing levels of estrogen.It is not just found in MY prescribed hand antiperspirant though. Although non-aluminum deodorants exist, many of the popular brands and aerosols used by people daily have high amounts of aluminum. Given this controversy, I want to research the long-term effects of aluminum compounds found in antiperspirants on female and male fertility. ​

 I want to research the long-term effects of aluminum compounds found in antiperspirants on female and male fertility. 
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After discussing my project with Dr. Purdy, I grew even fonder of my research idea. We had to adjust many things but landed on a solid and feasible topic. According to our planning calculations, due to the flies' fast reproduction rate, I will be able to conduct an assay on two grandchildren! How cool is that?! This means I will have to be extremely organized in my processes so I do not accidentally mix up generations. I am most excited to see the results of this study as it directly impacts my health and many others. I am also excited to see my labmates' projects. I enjoy spending my Saturdays with them and look forward to hearing about their interesting independent research projects!
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