Breaking into the Research World
My name is Rylee Freudenthal, and for the past two summers I have had the privilege of participating in UBRP, particularly working in Dr. John Streicher’s research lab. Through this experience, I have been able to explore an area of science that I was largely unfamiliar with when first joining the lab. As a senior double majoring in Biochemistry and Mathematics, I had very little prior knowledge in pharmacology or what conducting research in this field looked like. Joining Dr. Streicher’s lab gave me an opportunity to step outside my primary areas of study and gain hands on experience in a field that has become very important for my academic and personal interests.
More specifically our lab focuses on the study and understanding of biological mechanisms underlying chronic pathological pain. Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide and remains difficult to treat safely and effectively. Current treatment options, particularly opioids, are limited my significant side effects such as tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression, highlighting the need for non-opioid pain therapies. The project I am working on focuses mainly on orphan receptors, GPR63 and GPR153, which are receptors whose functions are not fully understood. This makes them especially interesting to study because they may introduce an entirely novel mechanism of pain regulation, hopefully opening the door for safer therapeutic approaches.
During my time in the lab, our research has provided evidence that GPR63 and GPR153 regulate and promote pain relief across multiple drug classes, including opioids, cannabinoids, and calcium channel inhibitors. These findings suggest that these receptors may serve as broader modulators of analgesia rather than being involved in the effects of only one type of medication. Our work has also built upon preliminary findings suggesting that these receptors act through microglia, immune cells in the nervous system that can contribute to pain when activated. Furthermore, GPR63 and GPR153 appear to limit microglial activation and decrease the release of pro-inflammatory molecules. Together, these findings reveal that GPR63 and GPR153 may play an important role in regulating pain and could potentially provide a new pathway for developing safer pain treatments. Being able to contribute to research that could eventually improve our understanding and treatment of chronic pain has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my UBRP experience.
Beyond the scientific findings, this project has given me the opportunity to develop skills that I could not have gained from coursework alone. I have learned to follow and optimize experimental protocols, how troubleshoot unexpected results, and analyze and interpret experimental data. I have also gained experience ethically working with mice, assessing pain-related behaviors through different behavioral models and assays, and using techniques such as immunohistochemistry and microscopic imaging. More recently, I have worked with spinal cord tissue to examine relationships between GPR63, GPR153, and microglia. Each experiment has presented its own challenges and learning how to work through unexpected results has taught me that research is not always linear and requires a lot of patience.
One of the most valuable parts about my UBRP experience has been the opportunity to work alongside and learn from many great mentors in Dr. Streicher’s lab. Everyone I have worked with has taught me something different, from new techniques to how to approach unexpected problems. Their guidance has helped me become more comfortable and confident working in a research environment. My experience in UBRP has also played an important role in shaping my future career goals. After graduation, I plan to transition directly into an industry research position, where I can apply the skills I have developed and continue growing as a scientist. Before joining UBRP, I knew I was interested in science, but I was not sure what a career in research would look like for me or if it was something I wanted to pursue long-term. Over the past two years, I have discovered how much I enjoy being in a lab and participating in research. I am grateful for everything I have learned through this program and hope to carry these skills and experiences with me as I continue my education and begin my career.