Stony Brook Pre-College Summer: Cancer Biology Recently Updated

Dive into cancer biology through hands-on lab work and advanced concepts. Study how abnormal cells grow and spread while exploring promising plant-based compounds (phytochemicals) that may help prevent or fight cancer. Learn about cellular changes that trigger cancer development and discover how natural substances from fruits and vegetables could stop cancer cell growth through programmed cell death. Course Content

In this program, you will conduct hands-on experiments to create extracts containing phytochemicals and learn what happens when these extracts are used to treat cancer cells. During this week-long program, you will be introduced to cancer biology concepts and laboratory techniques through lectures and hands-on laboratory activities.

Learn about cellular changes that give rise to cancer
Grow, maintain, and treat cancer cells in vitro (grown in dishes)
Prepare extracts containing phytochemicals that may fight cancer
Examine cells using light microscopy
Measure ATP levels using a luminometer
Analyze cells for apoptosis using fluorescence microscopy

You will implement the same techniques used by cancer biology researchers to study cancer cells including inverted light microscopy to examine cell morphology and health, fluorescence microscopy to detect apoptosis, and luminescence to measure cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels.