Luira

Luira
Everett High School
Everett, MA

Mentor: 
Nuria Roxana Botticello-Romero
Stanley Center and Psychiatric Disease | Deverman Lab
 

Luira stated in her BSSP application that “The Broad Institute is where scientists dive into the biomedical sciences, focusing on finding life-saving treatments.” During her summer project in the Deverman lab, she had the chance to contribute to the development of innovative treatments, including gene therapy. The lab specializes in adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), which are used for gene therapy delivery but face the challenge of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). AAVs can transcytose or cross the BBB by binding to the CA4 receptor. Luira and her partner explored the binding sites of various AAVs on human and mouse CA4 receptors using an inhibitor that targets the active site of CA4. She identified a capsid that effectively binds to the active site of the mouse CA4 receptor, as evidenced by inhibited transduction in the presence of the inhibitor. Conversely, other capsids exhibited enhanced transduction with the inhibitor present, suggesting that these capsids do not bind through the active site. Reflecting on her experience, Luira notes, “BSSP taught me the true essence of science. It showed me that science involves trial and error and that even negative data holds value.”