In D.C.:

Students worked with Dr. Erec Stebbins from Rockefeller University to model the interaction of a human enzyme (MARK2 kinase) with a bacterial protein that inhibits its function (CagA from Helicobacter pylori). Over the course of the school year, students  learned the basics of protein chemistry, read primary scientific literature to learn about their proteins, and created a 3D model of the protein using computer software. This model was printed in 3D at Milwaukee School of Engineering.  In addition to presenting their work in a poster at the ASBMB meeting, students met with other SMART Team students from across the country and attended lectures given by professional scientists. Students who attended the ASBMB meeting are Grace Farley, Jemma Issroff, Russell Kaplan, and Hannah Landes.

In NYC: Dalton SMART Teams presented their work at the Rockefeller University SMART Team Symposium. SMART Teams (Students Modeling A Research Topic) work together with a scientist to study a particular protein and design a 3-dimensional model of that protein given their understanding of the scientific literature. Both teams gave talks, presented posters, and shared 3D models they had prepared of their proteins.  The first-year SMART Team modeled the interaction of a bacterial virulence factor, CagA, with a human protein, MARK2 kinase. The interaction of these 2 proteins leads to stomach ulcers and cancer. This team's mentor was Dr. Erec Stebbins from Rockefeller University. The second-year team modeled the interaction of the Bcr-Abl kinase with the chemotherapy drug imatinib (Gleevec). The binding of this drug to Bcr-Abl is a very effective treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia. This team's mentor was Dr. Huafeng Xu from DE Shaw Research.