Research Day highlights young investigators
The diversity and scope of research at Children's Hospital Boston were evident on June 1 when the hospital held its sixth annual Research Day. Featuring the work of Children's residents, clinical fellows and postdoctoral research fellows, the number of posters submitted has grown from 30 six years ago to 120 this year, representing 27 divisions and departments. The posters, displayed at the Karp building, covered everything from the effects of children's television-watching to robotic surgery to zebrafish proteomics.
Eight researchers were picked to give oral presentations at Grand Rounds, with Surgical Grand Rounds kicking off the day at 7 a.m. in the Enders Auditorium. David Breault, MD, PhD, of the Division of Endocrinology, won one of the day's three prizes for his presentation of a streamlined technique for isolating and characterizing adult stem cells from a variety of tissues using genetically engineered mice. The other two prize winners presented at Medical Grand Rounds later in the day. Felix Engel, PhD, of the Department of Cardiology, presented evidence that heart-muscle cells can be made to regenerate in mammals. Zhe Li, PhD, of the Division of Hematology/Oncology, presented a mouse model that may help pinpoint the origins of sporadic human breast cancers (those with no known causative gene) and be used to test potential drugs.
The Medical Staff Organization sponsored the event, supported by the Research Faculty Council and the Office of Fellowship Training.
