September 5, 2003

Patricia Dorn welcomes biologist to lab

Patricia Dorn, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences, welcomed biologist Claudia Irene Calderon from the USAC (Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala) to Loyola's molecular parasitology laboratory in the summer.

Calderon is a "licenciada," meaning she possesses the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology through a five-year program. Since 2000, Calderon has worked in the laboratory of LENAP (Laboratory of Applied Entomology and Parasitology of USAC) in the section of molecular biology. In the LENAP laboratory, she chiefly does research on the population genetics of the vectors that transmit Chagas Disease. Currently, she is working on the comparison of different populations of Triatoma dimidiata from different countries of Central America by using a morphotectonic approach with RAPD PCR and microsatellites in collaboration with Dorn. The two scientist have worked on collaborative research for eight years, as LENAP investigates the population genetics of Chagas disease vectors. Chagas disease is one of the main tropical diseases of Central and South America; it affects mainly rural populations and causes severe cardiac and digestive problems. One of the main vectors of Chagas Disease is T. dimidiata, an insect of highly variable genetic structure, something which has prevented effective methods of controlling the disease.

Calderon came to Loyola to observe the various methods used in the laboratory for several molecular biology techniques such as DNA Isolation, PCR, and Taq Polymerase Isolation. She also received training making Polyacrylamide gels for Microsatellite Analysis. While on campus, Calderon also worked on her research paper titled "The Genetic Structure of Six Populations of Triatoma Dimidiata in Guatemala by RAPD PCR". This paper is a continuation of the studies being performed in order to understand the genetics of T. dimidiata; Calderon is working with Dorn on the paper that it is to be published soon. Through her research Calderon collaborates with the Ministry of Health to prevent further vectorial transmission of this serious disease and thus, help the poor populations that are faced with its consequences.

—Raquel Barrera and Miriam Ducruet, biology majors