For Dr. Gary Bulla, Professor and Associate Chair of the Biology department, research has never been about reaching an end-point but obtaining as much knowledge as possible. His most recent research project, titled The Genomic Analysis of Liver Function, has proven this idea to be true. Lasting over four years, Dr. Bulla, with the help of graduate assistants and student workers, has worked diligently to understand what makes the liver function.
Focusing from a microscopic perspective, he and his research team of four intend to get a broader understanding of the breakdown and processes of a failing liver. To perform such an experiment, Dr. Bulla utilizes liver cells from Rats to analyze the breakdown process. Specifically, he looks for mass irregulated genes and put them into non-liver cells. From this he then coaxes them to make the non-liver cells into liver cells.
The machine used to observe such abnormalities in genes plays a vital role in the actual observation of the genes. With the micro rays, the team incubates the micro rays and them washes them off with a media. After, they place micro rays inside of the machine and observe the fluorescents that shine off the dots and provide the team with a read out of the processes.
Though making it this far was no-straight shot. During these four years of research with micro rays, Dr. Bulla has went through a series of three different types of microforms. Progressively, the readout has become more accurate and innate for him to read.
Dr. Bulla goes on to say, “Its amazing what you can do, what never thought was possible.” An experiment that once seemed both scientifically and financially impossible is now tangible for both students and professors of Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Bulla mentioned that within the last ten years, the type of scientific technology has allowed to more access to students. Not only that, but the technology has developed in a manner which provides more accurate results and allows the duration of experiments to be shortened significantly.
Everyone can agree the molecular reason why the liver does not function is the question at hand, but he focuses the experiments on the students. His main objective is to provide the students with experience which will further help them in their scientific careers.
Down the line, Dr. Bulla hopes to work with new equipment to better understand RNA strands and continually provide research opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information concerning this story, please contact: gabulla@eiu.edu.
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