Mentor Name: Eric Sweet-Cordero

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem in osteosarcoma treatment. Traditionally, chemotherapy resistance is studies in tissue culture. However, tumor cells in tissue culture respond to chemotherapy may be different than how tumors in an organism respond to chemotherapy. Using treatment of tumors in mice and then studying the cells that grow out after treatment in a mouse, we have identified a role for a molecular pathway called the TGFB pathway in mediating chemoresistance. Aditi will work over the summer to help us understand better how TGFB modulates chemotherapy. This will provide hands-on experience in basic lab protocols and procedures. It is expected that Aditi will also contribute to a manuscript which will be submitted in the Fall.