Amy Xiao
Garden City High School
Garden City, New York
Citrin as a Therapeutic Target Clinically, Pharmacologically and Metabolically
Amy studied the role of the Citrin protein in cancer.
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Amy Xiao, 17, of Garden City, studied how a protein called Citrin is linked to cancer survival for her Regeneron Science Talent Search biochemistry project. Amy encountered Citrin while studying cancer metabolism. It plays a role in how cancer cells manage energy, but its metabolic importance is unknown. Using existing genetic data, Amy found that some changes to the citrin gene correlate with better outcomes in cancer patients. She wanted to understand why Citrin mattered.
She used the AI-powered AlphaFold system to create a 3D model of normal and altered Citrin proteins. It showed that some gene changes affected how the protein worked. Amy used CRISPR to turn down the citrin gene in colon cancer cells and saw they were depleted of an essential nutrient. Using computer simulations, Amy identified existing FDA-approved drugs that could inhibit Citrin. Targeting Citrin could lead to new cancer treatments.
Amy, child of Wenbin Xiao and Hong Hong, attends Garden City High School. She is co-founder and president of her high school’s programming club and active in the VEX robotics club. Amy is also the co-president of the Science Olympiad team. .
Beyond the Project
Amy is a prolific violinist, participating in musical programs and competitions worldwide, including the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program.
FUN FACTS: Amy is a self-taught digital artist. While traveling, Amy always brings along a notebook, highlighters, markers and pens to document the sights and people she encounters.
