This project was designed for Walsh University's nursing majors having only two semesters of chemistry laboratory experience.  This innovative work gave two nursing majors and one honors nursing major the opportunity to gain knowledge in cancer cell research and acquire advanced laboratory techniques.  The focus was to investigate the antiproliferative effects of Cu2+ on breast cancer cells (MCF-7), skin cancer cells (A375), and normal Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HFF).  In separate experiments, cells were treated with concentrations of 1-100 �M Copper(II) chloride dihydrate (CuCl2�2H2O) and 1-100 �M Copper(II) nitrate trihydrate (Cu(NO3)2�3H2O).  Cytotoxicity was monitored utilizing Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays.  Results showed no cell death for A375 cells at 100 �M CuCl2�2H2O and 5-10% growth inhibition for both HFF and MCF-7 cell lines.  Both A375 and HFF cells could tolerate 100 �M Cu(NO3)2�3H2O, but MCF-7 cells exhibited 27% growth inhibition.  An experiment utilizing 150 �M-3 mM CuCl2�2H2O indicated that cell death was apparent at 300 �M for both A375 and MCF-7 cells and 500 �M for HFF cells.  Interestingly, this work successfully showed that noncancerous cells can tolerate higher concentrations of CuCl2�2H2O than cancerous cells.  Assessment of this project showed that these three students feel it allowed them to become better nurses because of their newly acquired knowledge of scientific detail as applied to real-life situations.  This work also reinforced content from other science courses including chemistry and aided in increasing student self-efficacy.

Investigating the antiproliferative effects of Cu<sup>2+</sup> on MCF-7, A375, and HFF cells:  An innovative undergraduate research experience for nursing majors at Walsh University

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Investigating the antiproliferative effects of Cu2+ on MCF-7, A375, and HFF cells: An innovative undergraduate research experience for nursing majors at Walsh University

Investigating the antiproliferative effects of Cu²⁺ on MCF-7, A375, and HFF cells: An innovative undergraduate research experience for nursing majors at Walsh University