Sandeep Sawhney
Herricks High School
New Hyde Park, New York
Gallium Mediated DNA Crystals: A Novel Prototype Facilitating Gallium Cancer Therapy
Sandeep found a way to overcome a major barrier to using gallium ions to treat cancer.
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Sandeep Sawhney, 18, of New Hyde Park, developed a DNA container to deliver toxic cancer therapies for his Regeneron Science Talent Search bioengineering project. Gallium-based drugs are a promising cancer treatment. They can damage tumor cells but are toxic to healthy ones, too. These drugs dissolve typical gel capsules before they can reach their target.
For his project, Sandeep first mapped out the positions of the atoms in 10 proposed crystal structures. He tested the structures to find one that bound gallium drugs at three points. He then used self-assembly techniques from DNA crystallography to build the structures, called tensegrity triangles, out of artificial DNA. He believes these stable nanostructures could deliver gallium drugs without hurting healthy tissues if made with higher-grade artificial DNA. It may also reduce the risk of inflammatory side effects.
Sandeep, son of Tarveen and Gagandeep Sawhney, attends Herricks High School. In 2024, Sandeep raised over $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a Student Visionary of the Year.
Beyond the Project
Sandeep leads the Rube Goldberg Club at his high school. Its members follow in the famous inventor’s footsteps by engineering creative machines that complete simple tasks in as complex a fashion as possible.
FUN FACTS: Sandeep has a passion for high-quality clothing. He sells his own streetwear designs under the clothing startup Luminarae.
