1. Juan Carlos Torres Sánchez 804-11-9230 BIOL 3095 5/18/2012
Seminar 1 on Stem Cells, Discussing the Seminar Presentation
On September 26 and 27, we had a seminar with Jessian Muñoz, a college graduate
student fromNew Jersey Medical School. This experience has opened my mind in
relation to a new aspect of science I did not know quite well, cancer stem cells. How
could cancer stem cells be the primary cause of brain tumors? That question was well
answered by our seminar person of this week, Mr. Jessian Muñoz. Due to his
knowledge, we learned about brain tumors, what the starting point is,and about a new
topic, the microRNA. The microRNA was discovered in the human genome project,
whichdemonstrates how science discoveries have made lots of great advances in
benefits of health care. Dysfunction in microRNA signaling is present in all cancers
that have been studied thus far.
There was also the discussion about cancer stem cells (CSC). Cancer stem cells are
the of brain tumors. The problem that we had before was that with chemotherapy, the
cells that were targeted were the ones around the cancer stem cells so the cancer
would normally spread again. What they are trying to do is to suppress the pathway of
the stem cells so that stem cells will become responsive to chemo and radiotherapy.
They are encountering problems with this procedure also as cancer stem cells are
reappearing after therapy. Finding these cancer stem cells implies that this could be
the cure for cancer. Also, stem cells could be applied to different studies, for example
new knowledge has been provided that giving stem cells to a person with diabetes
could help regenerate their pancreatic beta cells.
Jessian’slifelong goals changed during the course of his studies, he went from
wanting to be a pedriatitian to studying a PhD. This demonstrates how it doesn’t
matter how long it will takeor if I change my goals, as long as I persevere it will be all

2. worth it at the end. I recommendthese types of seminars to anyone who wants to be
more knowledgeable on exciting topics.