A Novel In Vitro Cell Culture Model for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Claire Jiang, 18, of Wyckoff, developed a cellular model of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for her Regeneron Science Talent Search medicine and health project.
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JIA is a chronic disease in children that causes joint pain and damage, but is not well understood. Claire, who was diagnosed with JIA in third grade, aimed to build a model of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). FLS cells in the joints are affected by JIA, so a model to study them in the lab could help scientists learn about the disease.
After reviewing past research, Claire chose SW982, a cell line used to study rheumatoid arthritis. She treated SW982 cells with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), a protein linked to JIA-related joint damage. She found that cells treated with BMP4 behaved like JIA FLS in their growth patterns and gene expression. She believes this model can help researchers better study JIA and find new treatments.
The child of Li Li and Hang Jiang, Claire attends Bergen County Academies (Hackensack), where she is head delegate of the Model United Nations club’s travel team and has earned multiple outstanding delegate awards. Claire is also an award-winning pianist and an intern at the pediatric intensive care unit at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.
Beyond the Project
Claire is the head delegate of her school’s Model United Nations travel team. She has been recognized as an outstanding delegate at multiple Model UN conferences and led the 2026 Academy Model UN Conference as secretary-general.
FUN FACTS: Claire studies piano at the Manhattan School of Music precollege. She performs at local events and has won awards in several music competitions.
