New Nucleoside Analogs for Visualizing DNA Replication with a Culture of Safety Analysis in New York Hospitals

Reid, Silvana

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New Nucleoside Analogs for Visualizing DNA Replication with a Culture of Safety Analysis in New York Hospitals

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Biochemistry MQP Abstract: New Nucleoside Analogs for Visualizing DNA Replication DNA replication is temporally regulated with some origins firing early in the S phase and others firing later. Probabilistic models for DNA replication suggest that early origins are more likely to fire, and late origins are less likely. For this project, we wanted to develop tools that allow current models to be tested to answer why some origin fires early or later. Currently, such replication models are based on laborious, time-consuming single-molecule DNA visualization techniques. Optical replication mapping (ORM) has been determined to be an efficient tool in visualizing DNA, as it is neither labor-intensive nor time-intensive as other approaches. The issue with ORM is that it’s not compatible with EdU, IdU, BrdU, or CldU, which are used to visualize origin sites. The primary goal of this project is to analyze new nucleosides' ability to be incorporated into DNA and their compatibility to be fluorescently tagged. In doing such, we wanted to determine which workflow would be optimal for further preparation for optical replication mapping (ORM). Professional Writing Abstract: Culture of Safety Analysis in New York Hospitals Research laboratories are places where hypotheses get tested and ideas become reality. While labs are the center of cutting-edge science, they contain more hazards and risks than the regular workplace. No matter what research is being conducted, it is vital for any lab member to understand the hazards existing in the environment around them so that they don't put themselves, other lab members, and the research at risk. When completing our separate biochemistry Major Qualifying Projects at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts Medical School were required to obtain training to protect ourselves from chemical, physical, and biological hazards. In relation to this, we explored the outcomes of weak and strong cultures of safety in individual institutions. We hypothesized that if there is a poor culture of safety in any institution, indicated by the number of occupational hazards, there would also be poor work results. Due to access to information, we analyzed New York hospital data in relation to compensation claims and patient outcomes, which were indicative of occupational and patient safety cultures respectively. We then quantitatively correlated the hospital's patient safety grade with occupational hazards in the hospitals. By examining trends and using statistical analysis, we demonstrate that hospitals with better note-taking abilities or ‘measurement robustness,’ tend to have better patient outcomes. The results elucidate ‘you are what you measure,’ and organizations that put the effort into recording their practices, tend to have better work outcomes.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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