University of Houston Downtown
Presenter: Tina Prajapati, University of Houston Downtown
Project: Screening Compounds for Their Anti-Cell Proliferation Properties
Description of the project: Our project evaluates a series of novel TZ-compounds as potential safer and more effective anticancer agents. Using cost-effective cell-based assays—including MTT viability, caspase 3/7 apoptosis, wound closure, and Matrigel invasion—we screened 17 compounds across multiple cancer cell lines. Several compounds (TZ62, TZ70, TZ71) reduced cell survival by over 50%, induced apoptosis, and impaired migration and invasiveness, demonstrating strong preliminary success.
The project is highly cost-efficient, relying on accessible assays, shared instrumentation, and collaborator-provided compounds. This workflow supports data-driven decision-making, allowing us to prioritize compounds for advanced testing while maximizing resources.
Key contributions to this initiative include analyzing and interpreting biological responses within cancer cells, comparing multi-assay datasets, and identifying the most promising compounds based on viability, apoptosis, and migration outcomes. Additionally, refining assay techniques—such as optimizing cell seeding, imaging timing, and consistency across replicates—helped generate more reliable, high-quality data.
Overall, this project establishes a practical, efficient model for early-stage anticancer drug screening while strengthening research decision-making and technical skills within the laboratory.
Biography: Tina Prajapati is an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Houston–Downtown. Her research focuses on screening novel chemotherapeutic compounds using multi-assay, cell-based approaches to study cancer cell survival, apoptosis, and metastasis. She has presented her work at national conferences, including SACNAS, ABRCMS, and the Texas Academy of Science (TAS), and was awarded Outstanding Research Presentation at SACNAS. Tina plans to pursue an MD/PhD to continue advancing cancer research and improving pediatric patient care.