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Sloan-Kettering Institute // Lorenz Studer

Yvonne Gruber Mica, BA

Graduate Student

Pictured: Yvonne Gruber Mica

Lab Phone:

212-639-8510

E-mail:

grubery@sloankettering.edu

Education:

Wellesley College

The focus of my thesis is to develop a rapid and well-defined protocol for the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells found predominantly in the epidermis and hair follicles. We hypothesize that basic developmental insights can be used to progressively direct human pluripotent cells through a neural crest intermediate to a terminally differentiated, mature melanocyte population. We intend to use this protocol to establish a novel framework for studying melanoma and other melanocyte-associated disorders within the context of the human system.

differentiation (DIH-feh-REN-shee-AY-shun)

In cancer, refers to how mature (developed) the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

embryonic (EM-bree-AH-nik)

Having to do with an embryo, which is an early stage in the development of a plant or animal.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

epidermis (EH-pih-DER-mis)

The outer layer of the two main layers of the skin.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

melanocyte (meh-LAN-oh-site)

A cell in the skin and eyes that produces and contains the pigment called melanin.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)

A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

neural (NOOR-ul)

Having to do with nerves or the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pluripotent (ploo-RIH-puh-tent)

Able to mature or develop in any of several ways.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

protocol (PROH-tuh-KOL)

A detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure. In clinical trials, it states what the study will do, how it will be done, and why it is being done. It explains how many people will be in the study, who is eligible to take part in it, what study drugs or other interventions will be given, what tests will be done and how often, and what information will be collected.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

Yvonne Gruber Mica is a student at the
Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences