Question: dear jess what made you whant to be a scientiest what made you want to research anti - cancer from becky at sirius academy

Jessica Chu answered on 13 Jun 2011:

Hi Becky!
For me, it was never saying things like I wanted to be a scientist- I just picked the subjects I enjoyed 🙂 which were biology, chemistry, maths and business studies.
But if you have a clear idea of what you want to be when you are older then picking subjects that are related is a good idea!

Biology is one of my favourite subjects because I found it fascinating how (simply speaking) everyone’s cells in the brain and body are made up of the almost the same chemicals such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphate etc. and by having more or less of certain chemicals (or how the chemicals are put together) can have such big effects on how we look, think and act!!!
So in other words our DNA (genetic material) codes for who we are and everyone is very unique in their own way yet everyone’s DNA are made up of the 4 base pairs (millions of base pair link together makes DNA) but the different level of base pair can have big effects?
I found chemistry the hardest of the 3 sciences back in school but looking back I am glad I chose to do it in my A-levels because I found it fascinating!

Because I love to know what goes on in the cell (and chemistry helps explain all the reactions)- I chose Biochemistry to do in Uni.
In my final (3rd) year of Biochemistry, we had 2 modules that covered a few things about cancer. It really fascinated me because cancer cells are so clever so I decided to do a Master’s degree (Oncology (study of cancer), 1 year). I really enjoy learning anything about cancer so I have decided to do a PhD research project related to cancer too

Cancer cells are so clever in many ways because they will eventually develop resistance to whatever method you decide to get rid of it. For example, a drug you have made can travel through the protein channels (like doors) to get inside and attack the cancer cell- this is obviously a great thing! And many drugs in the past do this but later on you might find the drug not having much effect.
This is because the cancer cell will develop some new mutant protein channels (doors) that the drug no long fits to get inside and cause damage!
So that is one reason why although there are many good treatments out there but sooner or later resistance develops so cancer is still killing many people.

Let me know if you want to know more.. incase I go on and on and end up boring you 😛

Jess