Author: The Wistar Institute

Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi received the 2022 Helen Dean King Award from The Wistar Institute in recognition of her outstanding biomedical research on understanding how sugars that coat our cells impact diseases.

“This award is an opportunity to celebrate the life and career of a great pioneering, ceiling shattering scientist, Helen Dean King, who carved a path for many of us in science,” Bertozzi explained.

The sugar structures on cell surfaces are complex, diverse, dynamic, and in motion. “I like to think of them as long branches, trees, shrubs moving and swaying as wind blows,” she analogized. When the immune system “tastes” the sugar structures on the surface of cells, it decides whether the “flavor” is bad and if so, attacks the cell.

Central to Bertozzi’s work is the discovery that the structure of sugar on cancer cells is different than the structure of sugars on healthy cells, and that affects how the immune system interacts with them. Cancer cells produce more sugar on their cell surface than healthy cells, increasing sialic acid on the cell surface. Sialic acid blocks the immune system and makes cancer cells “taste good”, sparing them from attack.

Bertozzi’s theory: removing sialic acid from the cancer cell surface will change the sugar label on cancer cells from friend to enemy, putting the immune system on guard.

To do this, Bertozzi and her team made a molecule she refers to as a “cancer-specific lawn mower” that “mows” sialic acid from cancer cell surfaces. The molecule was created with a method referred to as click chemistry. Click chemistry allows scientists to take large complex molecules and snap them together to create new molecules. Bertozzi used this concept to attach (“click”) an enzyme called sialidase to antibodies. Applying this newly created molecule to cancer cells successfully limits or stops tumor growth in laboratory experiments. Bertozzi is now poised to test the molecule in clinical trials.

A champion of the transformative power of science, Bertozzi advised, “Do the highest quality science you can do with the most diligence and most attention to detail, and good things will follow.”

After sharing her personal challenges with research projects, gender discrimination, and homophobia, she left her audience with encouraging advice:

“… sometimes, you can’t get the opportunity you want in the near term. Look for what opportunities are available to you and get on that bus and go. Don’t be afraid to take opportunities that you didn’t envision for yourself.”

Dr. Bertozzi is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University. She is a past recipient of the National Academy of Sciences Award in Chemical Sciences and the MacArthur Foundation Genius Award, and most recently the Wolf Prize in Chemistry.

Learn more about Wistar’s Women & Science Program.

Dr. Sandra Deliard of the Gardini lab is combining genetics and cell biology to better understand cancer. Born in New York City and raised in Philadelphia, Deliard earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Cancer Biology and Genetics at Temple University. She is currently studying epigenetic modifications of myeloid cells – specialized cells in the bone marrow.

In a conversation with Dr. Deliard, she discusses her professional journey, research challenges, and the importance of investing in diverse and underrepresented populations when supporting scientific talent.

Did you come from a family of scientists? Who inspired you growing up to pursue science?

I did not come from a family of scientists, but I have several family members in the medical field. I was always drawn to science growing up, and I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I began doing research in high school mostly in genetics. Once in college, I continued to work in research labs, which I found more enjoyable than working in a clinical setting. I then decided to pursue science as a researcher because I could still contribute significantly to the advancement of medicine without working directly with patients.

What drew you to Wistar and what do you like about working here?

Following my Ph.D., I wanted to progress in the field of epigenetics and bioinformatics. A colleague in my Ph.D. lab connected me with Dr. Alessandro Gardini, who offered me an opportunity to continue my training as a Postdoctoral Fellow in his lab. Wistar is a highly regarded Institute and well known for its groundbreaking research. This reputation made it easy to choose to work here. I like the collaborative environment Wistar fosters within the Institute and with other academic institutions in the area, like the University of Pennsylvania. These collaborations allow access to more ideas and technologies that enhance the productivity of the research done in Wistar labs.

What is your favorite part of your role and your day?

I enjoy doing experiments at the bench, but my favorite part is getting results back from sequencing experiments and analyzing the data.

Do you have a challenging moment in your career so far and how did you overcome it?

My most challenging times were during my Ph.D. There were points where it felt like none of my experiments were working, which was stressful because I knew graduation was contingent on me having enough data to write a manuscript for publication. I overcame this by finally reaching out and getting extra help from my mentor and other lab colleagues. Through the years, I also learned to step back and look at the collection of my work rather than focus on a particularly difficult time. This gave me the encouragement to persevere and complete my Ph.D.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue science?

Science is a rewarding career, but there will be difficult and discouraging times. It is crucial to know when to ask for help, whether it is with an experiment or career advice. Also, it is good to have career goals, but you do not have to follow a rigid path. It is okay to change your mind about what you want or don’t want to do. The great thing about science is that there are many paths one can take in various fields, so it is best to stay flexible and keep an open mind about opportunities that may come your way.

Congratulations on receiving the Wistar Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Travel award. What does this opportunity mean for you?

Thank you! With this award, I can focus more on the bioinformatics training I need to advance my career. More importantly, as a Black woman in science, this award is especially meaningful since there are so few of us in the field. A career in science can be highly competitive. It is even more challenging for people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from under resourced communities, as opportunities for these groups are particularly scarce. I hope Wistar continues to offer opportunities like this and uplift people from underrepresented populations like myself. An equitable representation of different people in the field will only promote better science and more advancements.

From southeast China, Dr. Xue Hao, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Rugang Zhang lab at The Wistar Institute, is tackling ovarian cancer. With a degree in Applied Chemistry from Nanjing Agriculture University and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hao brings a unique perspective to Wistar science. She is currently focused on ovarian cancer relapse after chemotherapy by targeting a process called cellular senescence – biological aging of cells and subsequent loss of cell function.

In a conversation with Dr. Hao, Wistar discussed the journey to her current role at the Institute, being a researcher from another country, and where her research will take her.

Did you come from a family of scientists? Who inspired you growing up to pursue science?

None of my family members are scientists. When I was in college, I watched the movie ‘A Beautiful Mind’, a biographical film inspired by the American mathematician John Nash. John was an enthusiastic scientist who struggled with schizophrenia. However, he worked hard and made tremendous contributions to game theory. In 1994, John Nash was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. I was deeply touched by the last scene in the film where many scientists placed their pens on John’s table to show their highest respect for him. His passion for science inspired me a lot and I hope that someday my work can inspire others and contribute to scientific development.

What drew you to Wistar and what do you like about working here?

When I decided to continue with postdoctoral training, I was very interested in the aging and cancer research field, as global aging is an increasingly serious problem. This field is undergoing robust development and has fundamental clinical implications. Professor Rugang Zhang’s lab met my interests because it is focused on both cellular senescence and epigenetic regulation of ovarian cancer. The lab had so many beautifully rigorous papers published, so I eagerly wanted to join the team.

Also, I had several previous colleagues who worked at Wistar. Their positive comments about the Institute also drew me here. I receive high-quality training that enables me to be competitive across academia. I’ve been here for three years, and I’m very glad that I made a great decision to come to Wistar.

Are there any differences or unique experiences you’ve had working in science in the U.S. compared to China?

There is a major difference with time management. When I worked in China years ago, we usually had a longer lunch time. Many people took a nap after lunch and started to work again at around 13:30 p.m. and then went back home later than I see in the U.S.

What is your favorite part of your role and your day?

As an early bird in the morning, I usually list a daily plan while enjoying coffee. A great cup of coffee can lighten my whole day’s work!

Do you have a challenging moment in your career so far and how did you overcome it?

There have been many challenging moments in my career. I don’t have an epigenetics background, so in the very beginning, I found it hard to move forward with my project both conceptually and technically. I just needed to get the ball rolling. I am lucky that my mentor and lab members are always ready to help. I learned a lot from them, and everything became better.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue science?

There are no shortcuts to learning. Intellectual curiosity is the most important thing on the road to pursuing science. The rest is a matter of practice by reading, writing, speaking your mind, and doing experiments.

Congratulations on receiving the Wistar Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Travel award! What does this opportunity mean for you?

Thank you! I’m very happy and truly honored. I am quite encouraged and more confident about the direction of my work after receiving this Travel Award from Wistar. It supports my trip to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) special meeting where I’m invited to give a talk about my current work. I will take this opportunity as a great kickstart to my next journey in academia. Again, I sincerely thank Wistar for this award!

Think tank Heartland Forward released a new report tracking technology transfers from research institutions that lead to innovations that build stronger economies and The Wistar Institute ranked 3rd in Innovation.

The report From Research to Renewal, Part 2: States Realizing the Potential of Research Institutions reviewed 5 metrics related to technology transfer and Wistar ranked 91.14 out of a perfect score of 100. Formal technology transfer metrics considered included licenses and options issues, gross licensing income, invention disclosures, startups formed, and unique citing patents. The report substantiates that strategic investment in scientific and technological innovation, synergy across research institutions, and efficient technology transfer practices build stronger state economies.

Wistar, the nation‘s oldest, private, nonprofit research organization, stays laser focused on biomedical research that improves the quality of life and saves lives throughout the world. Wistar scientists have led the way on some of the world’s most important biomedical breakthroughs, treatments, and vaccines – including for rabies, rubella, and rotavirus. Wistar scientists are advancing a deeper understanding of cancer to develop targeted immunotherapies and investigating innovative immunization solutions for infectious diseases. With 35 laboratories and 289 scientists, students, post docs and staff representing more than 20 countries, Wistar scientist tackle some of the most important health challenges of the 21st century. Wistar science – today’s discoveries, tomorrow’s cures.

Read more in the Philadelphia Business Journal.