Bedford teen’s DNA experiment headed to space

BEDFORD – Anna-Sophia Boguraev’s interest in DNA started all the way back in the fifth grade. Now, a DNA experiment she designed will soar 250 miles above the earth on the International Space Station.

Boguraev, 17, a rising senior at Fox Lane High School, was among more than 300 students from around the country who entered the first ever national Genes in Space competition, which challenged students to design a DNA experiment that used a miniPCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine to tackle a real space exploration problem.

She learned she was one of five finalists through a call from Boston that came as she stretched after track practice.

“I’m a what?” Boguraev said, recalling the serendipitous moment. “I was stunned; I knew I had written a good proposal but it was a national competition. I knew I had a chance, but I wasn’t expecting it by any means.”

Boguraev and the other finalists presented their experiments to a panel of scientists and educators at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference in Boston in early June.

A PCR machine, typically used in biological or chemical research, is able to produce duplicates of DNA and create copies of particular segments millions of times over. This enables researchers to conduct experiments on those specific DNA sequences.

Boguraev decided to focus on analyzing astronauts’ compromised immune systems during space missions. Her experiment looks at the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on the immune system, in an effort to figure out how that immune suppression is occurring. This will ultimately help scientists find new ways to enhance human health in space.

“The thing I found most challenging was (figuring out) what result do I expect to see, and how and where can I point in my findings to why I have these results,” Boguraev said.

Uzma Shah, who served as one of the contest judges, said they were looking for an experiment that not only tackled an interesting question but also could be carried out.

“Anna-Sophia was certainly extremely impressive; (she was) very articulate,” said Shah, a representative for Math for America, one of the sponsors along with Boeing, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and miniPCR.

Before the last round of the competition, finalists received mentoring and coaching from scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

“The biggest reward was seeing Anna-Sophia present her project to the judges,” Boguraev’s mentor and MIT graduate student Holly Christensen said. “I realized how much she had learned in six weeks and recognized that I’ve helped her gain skills that she will be using for many years to come.”

Boguraev is now spending the summer doing research at Columbia University Medical Center.

“Talking to people was the most valuable thing about this entire experience, I made so many connections,” she said of the competition. “I found people who were passionate, and not only passionate but loved the same thing that I did.”

Twitter: @claricesilber