Phoenix2006: Ddregoesc's Page

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Hello,

Here comes my introduction :). I finished my undergraduate studies at University of Toronto with Honours Bachelor of Science, specializing in molecular biology and genetics. Then I moved on to other interesting things, such as applying some of what I learned in my undergrad years. Therefore I started my Master of Science in Biology at McMaster University. I am in my second year, but I might move on and do a doctorate program as well in the same area. I work in a DNA repair lab where I get to work with human normal and cancerous cells and with viruses. Basically I look at how a specific protein that plays a mjor role in a lot of cancers affects DNA repair in human cells. On a nonacademic level, I loveeeeee volleyball. Thus I am not a complete geek ;). I have also discovered that I enjoy chess, but that might cancel the previous statement. :) I am quite the traveller, I have backpacked through Europe and now I am excited to have the opportunity to study and see a complete different country. Well I'll keep you posted.
Ciao,
Diana

Ddregoesc's Recent Blog Entries

Out of the Ashes and into the Cancer Age

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Fri Jun 30 13:34:17 2006

In our research Rob and I examined the incidence of radiation-induced leukemia and other cancers in atomic bomb survivors.

Go to the Research Questions Area of Focus to read the essay.

Answer to Ashton Meadows Q3

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Wed Jun 7 07:17:01 2006

I will briefly attempt to answer Q3 as well. My research entails looking at a DNA repair pathway and how genetic factors and the environment of the cells influence its efficieny. As you know cells are equipped with a couple different types of DNA repair pathways that basically make sure they repair mutations that could otherwise create harm to our DNA. Well I am looking at one in specific pathway, which is called the nucleotide excision repair. This research is not directly related to the.....

Re: Relationship of cancer and radiation

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Wed Jun 7 07:06:27 2006

Hello Andrew,

There are several studies released by the RERF (Radiation Effects Research Foundation) that can answer that question. Those studies looked at the early effects of radiation and at the long term effects of radiation on the survivors and their next generation. If you look at my answer to Q2 for Ashton Meadows, I wrote a bit more about their studies and what they found. It will help answer your question as well. Basically the short term effects due to radiation were acute.....

Ashton Meadows Answer to Q2

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Tue Jun 6 17:34:53 2006

Wow, I am amazed at the great questions being asked. I will attempted to answer Q2.

I will start with the first part, which asked whether there are effects on the people after the A-bomb explosion? There are several studies that looked and still research to find an answer to this question. Briefly, the greatest effect on the people that survived the A-bomb explosion is the increased risk of getting cancer. Most survivors that were exposed to radiation have greater risk of getting leukemia.....

Re: Question

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Thu May 18 15:58:11 2006

The impression that I got from seeing Hiroshima and the monuments, is that they are trying to remember the people who died and suffered during that time instead of focusing on what Americans did to them. My friend Cheryl actually pointed out something to me at the time of touring Hiroshima. When we saw the hypocenter monument, which you can see in the photo gallery, that plaque was the only place that the US army is mentioned to have dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. All the.....

Survivor testimony

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Thu May 18 15:03:43 2006

Hello,

So I mentioned in a previous blog that I would write the name of the survivor who gave her testimony. Her name is Seiko Iketa and she was 13 at the time of the bomb, as Rob mentioned in his blog as well.

We heard another testimony that night, which was also very overwhelming and touching. He was 2100 m from the epicenter. He was tossed 6 m away when the blast happened. He also said that he was unconscious for about 4 to 5 min. When he opened his eyes, he couldn't see anything, it.....

Trip Update

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Mon May 15 08:01:28 2006

Well we are back from our trip. There is so much to tell I don't even know where to start. I think in this entry I am going to focus on one of the most important part of this trip, the consequences of the A-bomb in Hiroshima and what we learnt about the devastation of the A-bomb. The first day we started the course we had a full day. We watched a video that showed footage of the day of the bomb, how the city looked. After that we heard a testimony from an A-bomb survivor, which was one of the.....

Just before flying

Posted By ddregoesc, McMaster Science on Sun Apr 30 09:50:07 2006

It still seems unreal that we are going to Japan. I keep thinking that we will just go on a trip, nothing too special. When an opportunity like this comes along, it's hard to realize the importance of it until you are actually there. I can't wait to have some stories and thoughts to post up. I have an idea of how it will be, but I am probably not even close. So stay tuned for the stories. It's exciting to know that we will see a part of history first hand. Speaking some japanese scares me.....

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