Marysol Chu/ Dr.Alexandra Gomez week 7

 This week I was able to meet with Dr.Avecilla from the cellular therapy lab. In previous weeks I had seen the apheresis machines that collect the samples as well as bone marrow harvest but he was able to discuss more about the process that occurs between collection and then transfusion. Particularly he shared the different sources of  stem cells like the marrow, peripheral blood and cord blood as well which is the most readily available source of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Once in the lab the sample gets processed and cell populations are positively or negatively selected before infusion. For example, Dr.Avecilla described antibody mediated lysis which which depletes T cells in the allogeneic transplant potentially reducing by or preventing the development of GVHD. The product of this bone marrow processing that  is of interest is  called the Buffy coat which is a concentrate of the white blood cells. This part is usually done through centrifugation.  Generally after collection, there is a process called HPC characterization where several parameters are measured like total nucleares cell count, as well as flow cytometry to assess CD34 cell content at this stage the process is also tested for risk of contamination, finally there is also potency testing commonly done by a colony forming unit assay.  Once this is all done they are cryopreserved for later use once the patient is done with their chemo or radiation regimen.  The end product of this bone marrow processing is something called the Buffy coat which is a concentrate of the white blood cells. This part is usually done through centrifugation. 

Additionally, I presented to my cohort about what I have been doing in the clinic and in the lab. It was nice to be able to share my experience shadowing various clinicians but importantly gaining a better understanding and insight into what my classmates were doing. A few of my friends were shadowing orthopedic surgeons for the summer and despite not being in my area of research, I still enjoyed seeing pictures of the surgeries they saw and the technology that is emerging to address a lot of joint injuries that occur. 

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