Former Winnipeg resident and graduate of Gilbert High School, Hersh Goel, a sophomore molecular & cellular biology major, has been living his dreams. As a UBRP student, Hersh has been studying the genetic disorder Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a disease that affects approximately 12.5 million people worldwide, according to the PKD Foundation website.

With no cure or treatment, this disease progresses and causes the formation of cysts in kidneys that resemble bubbles, as if the kidneys were actually popping! Polycystic Kidney Disease is affected by many genes and factors in complex signaling pathways.

In Dr. Li-Wen Lai's laboratory, College of Medicine, Hersh studies one such factor, known as the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRalpha). This growth factor has been implicated in cell migration and proliferation in many organs, including kidneys, in early stages of development. It has been shown to be necessary for proper physiological development in mice.

One approach Hersh takes is to knock down the gene expression by giving the cells the "silencing molecules" called RNAi. Upon entering the cells, the RNAi molecules silence the gene expression, which provides scientists a great tool to find out the normal function of a specific gene.

" It has been difficult so far and it is almost a trial and error process to discover the best way to knock the gene down," Hersh said "but once we do that we can do some really cool and important work from there! I've always loved science but working with experts and scientists to try and find a cure for such a damaging disease has truly been a dream come true!"

Hersh's work is supported in part by through UBRP from a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (52003749).