Missouri Southern News Bureau FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2003 Contact: Public Information Office (417) 625-9399 E-Mail: News Bureau Voice: (417) 625.9399 FAX: (417) 625.3142 |
JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Natasha Collins (Durbin), a graduate of Seneca High School, is taking part in groundbreaking research as a graduate student in the Cancer Research Training Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Eppley Cancer Institute. In the lab of Dr. Bob Lahue, her work examines DNA repair as a means to cure disease. Certain illnesses, such as Fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease, are caused when repeated sections of DNA expand from generation to generation. This expansion causes these areas of DNA to become unstable, causing disease. The length of these tracts of DNA affects the age of onset of the disease as well as the severity. The research of Collins and others in the lab is exploring the ways in which these certain areas of DNA expand and contract. Finding a way to shrink these sections of DNA could lead to treatments and cures for many genetic illnesses. Collins completed several lab rotations before choosing to focus on her current research. Aside from her work in the lab, she also must continue taking classes for a couple years in pursuit of her graduate degree. Collins says that she is enjoying being a part of the exciting research taking place at the Medical Center. Collins graduated from Seneca High School in 1998 and from Missouri Southern State University in December 2002. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she began her graduate studies in January of this year. She was recently married to her husband, Kyle, who is also a graduate of MSSU. |
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