Ad猫le Usmanov鈥檚 long-standing interest in how diseases work on a cellular and genetic level led her to take an extra microbiology techniques course in CEGEP to gain hands-on lab experience. But when it came time to choose her program at university, she didn鈥檛 hesitate for a moment. 鈥淣ursing attracted me because it really connects that scientific understanding with the human experience,鈥� explains the second-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student who won a prestigious summer research bursary from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and has now been further awarded a fall scholarship to advance this important work.
Usmanov found out about the award through an email forwarded to students by Ingram School of Nursing Faculty Lecturer YiQing L眉, who encouraged those interested to apply. Four hours later, she responded to Prof. L眉, and the duo collaboratively developed a research project that best integrated Ad猫le鈥檚 passions in microbiology, genome biology, and patient care. Up against stiff competition, including students in medicine and other health profession schools, she was both shocked and delighted when she found out that she had won the scholarship. 鈥淚t felt like a validation that my interest in biomedical sciences and nursing could actually coexist, and that nursing students genuinely belong in those research spaces.鈥�
Conducted at a research lab located at the , Usmanov鈥檚 research investigates how viral proteins can affect the process of oncogenesis. Her work began with a large-scale screening of a pathogen protein library, which led her to focus on a protein called U14 from a human Herpes virus. The U14 protein was found to interact with the p53 gene, which is often called the "guardian of the genome" because of its crucial role in preventing cells from becoming cancerous. While most viral proteins that cause cancer typically inactivate and destroy p53, 鈥淲e found a surprising effect 鈥� that U14 actually stabilizes P53, but simultaneously blocks p53 from performing its tumour suppression job,鈥� says Usmanov. To investigate this unique interaction further, the research team employed a combination of standard molecular biology experiments and advanced artificial intelligence techniques to create a detailed model of how U14 and p53 interact and to explain the functional consequences.
Usmanov found the work stimulating, and enjoyed the collegial atmosphere in the research group. The team included 黑料网 pre-med student Cylia Bourenane, and John Abbott College student Hongxin Li. Professor L眉, who supervised the students reports that, 鈥淎ll three of them significantly advanced research projects ranging from cancer biology to gene editing, and befriended and impressed so many lab-mates and MUHC-RI based researchers.鈥� The fact that the trio was invited to participate in an MUHC Student Research Day, each with a poster describing their findings, further attests to the calibre of their contributions.
鈥淚 may not pursue bench research as a nurse but I hope I can use insights from genetics and bench sciences to support evidence-based practice and to share this information with patients,鈥� Usmanov explains. She adds that while, historically, nursing has been centred on patient interactions and the all-important human touch, more than ever, nursing education places a premium on the important role of rigorous evidence-based practice in quality nursing care and improved outcomes. It is this intersection between the two that appeals to Usmanov. 鈥淚 am so thankful that the Ingram School of Nursing at 黑料网 offer students opportunities to engage in both worlds,鈥� she concludes.
