Review and Critique of Peer-Reviewed

Article “Dual functional BAFF receptor aptamers inhibit ligand-induced proliferation and deliver siRNAs to NHL cells”

Presenter: Danielle Bruner

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 19-20

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Monica Lares

Department: Chemistry

Abstract:
In the peer-reviewed article, “Dual functional BAFF receptor aptamers inhibit ligand-induced proliferation and deliver siRNAs to NHL cells,” the results conclude that there is an RNA aptamer that demonstrates affinity to the BAFF-R intermembrane protein; BAFF-R is overexpressed in B-cells of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patients and causes cell proliferation. Once this R-1 aptamer binds to BAFF-R, cell proliferation decreases. I intend to review the literature to determine how and why the authors conclude that the  R-1 aptamer demonstrates the most efficient and consistent binding affinity to BAFF-R across different B-cells, chimeras, and BAFF-ligand concentrations. I will condense the study’s experimental methods and results into a PowerPoint presentation that is comprehensive and accessible for research students. I also intend to critique the literature to provide insight into other research projects being conducted in Dr. Lares’  research group.