guest blog: Juliet Daet
                   Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Canada-Wide Science Fair 2009 was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime! I couldn’t help but be excited the entire week. Many students wondered how I could possibly be so pumped with energy, despite the fact that the Fair was hosted by my own hometown. It was just wonderful to attend the prestigious event, with all the hometown researchers who I had the pleasure of working with around me, and shower me with encouraging words and support! This week was the fruition of tireless lab hours, too many all-nighters, and an undying passion for research.

I have loved studying health and medicine for as long as I can remember, and I have always been drawn to biochemical studies. My project was inspired by my late godmother, who lost her 7 year battle with breast cancer 2 years ago. If I could turn back time and contribute to cancer research, what would I do? My project focused on targeting the polyamine metabolic pathway. Polyamines are polycations that have a vital role in DNA stabilization, and therefore cell growth. Previous studies have shown increased concentrations of these polyamines are often associated with more aggressive cancers. Polyamine analogues, particularly diethylnorspermine (DENSPM), mimics the natural polyamine, spermine, and passes freely through the cell membrane. The cell, in an attempt to restore homeostatic polyamine levels, acetylates polyamines, but only natural polyamines can be affected by acetylation. The result is a depletion in natural polyamine pools, resulting in DNA damage, and an inhibition of cell growth. My project showed that the analogue DENSPM does cause a reduction in breast cancer cells which lack or overexpress the HER2 growth factor, which is often linked with more aggressive cancers. A reduction in estrogen receptor-α expression (ERα) levels was also observed. ERα regulates specific genes which result in the production of specific proteins that promote cell growth and proliferation. Overall, the results show that the polyamine analogue DENSPM could be a novel approach to cancer therapy.

The Canada-Wide Science Fair was an inspiring experience. It was motivational to be around other young teenagers who shared my passion and interest for science research. The Fair demonstrated the power and potential of young people in research, and that the future is in good hands. It was heart-warming to know that we have the ability to change the world, to find the answers to the seemingly unsolvable questions, and to keep the world moving forward. Even judging was fun, as our judges showed a genuine interest in our work, and it was a great time to show off our individual discoveries and innovations. We also had the pleasure of listening to lectures by veteran researchers. These researchers reassured us that we can achieve what we want to achieve, pushing us to keep being curious, to keep asking questions, and to keep expanding our horizons.

Many of us took away medals from the Fair, but the most important gift that the Fair has bestowed upon us is the idea that we are the present and future of research. The Canada-Wide Science Fair was one week, which proved to be the highlight of my school career, and the stepping stone to an amazing career in science.

Gerry says:

I was so impressed when I talked to Juliet at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. She was contagious with her enthusiasm and excitement about science and I knew that she would make an excellent guest blogger.

Juliet won a total of $2300 in cash and scholarships at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, and she another $1500 at the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge. But for Juliet, it was about the science…..the money was just a perk.