Judith Knapp  

Home Institution
Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen

Host Institution
Department of Urology, University of Miami
Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Research Mentor: Vinata B. Lokeshwar, Ph.D.

E-Mail: judith.knapp@gmx.net
Research Topic
see Abstract
Personal Reactions to the U.S. Experience
The time I spent in the United States will be unforgettable for me and I am very thankful that I had the chance to experience how life is here. When I arrived in the United States I had a very warm welcome and all the people I met were very helpful. Since I was not considered as a student, but as an employee of the University of Miami, I had to face some official procedures, like getting a Social Security Number and going through all those orientation sessions that are done for employees. During these things, when I was recognized as a German citizen, I experienced nice reactions and people suddenly started to speak German and told me about their journeys to Europe.
Americans are very polite people and they help you whenever they can, even if they do not know you at all. They are very tolerant and open-minded. If you can make it in the United States, then do so, no matter where you are from.
In Miami there are lots of Hispanic people, so you can find an interesting mixture of US-American and South American ways of living, including different tastes of delicious food J.But be careful: In some areas you are lost if you cannot speak Spanish!
Greatest Difficulties Encountered
Fortunately, I did not have to face major difficulties. The only thing that was nerve-racking was to get my ID for entering the research building. I was there for already three weeks and suddenly they needed my diploma entrance certificate, my preliminary examination certificate, some kind of proof that I had at least four years of studies, and so on. But in the end (after 5 weeks!) I got my ID and everything was fine.
Most humorous incident
The English pronunciation of my last name is quite different from the German one. When I was at one of those orientation sessions (the first one), the lady who handed out some documents said “Miss Knapp, this is for you”. Since I had never heard my name pronounced in English before I didn’t say anything. Neither did anybody else. She repeated it and again there was no reaction. Then I realized that maybe it must be ME!
Helpful Hints for Future Students
- Get a Deutsche Bank check card. You can withdraw money from your account without paying fees at any ATM of the Bank of America
- Open up a bank account in the U.S. You will need it beside your Deutsche Bank card
- Lots of things can be done online like getting an appointment for your driver’s license
- Travel around as much as you can, the United States is such a beautiful country

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Abstract on Research Topic

The difference of the expression of Hyaluronidases in human normal and bladder cancer tissue
Author: Judith Knapp

Institution:
Department of Urology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Introduction:
The Hyaluronidases (HAases) are a family of enzymes that degrade Hyaluronic acid (HA) into smaller fragments. Those fragments are known to be angiogenic and are used by tumor cells to support cell growth. HA is a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan that consists of repeating disaccharide units. It is component of tissue matrix and tissue fluids and has several functions in normal physiology, but is also known to be increased in tumors.
There are six hyaluronidase-like genes in the human genome; they are numbered as HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3, HYAL4, HYAL5/SPAM1 and HYAL6/HYALP1. HYAL1 to HYAL5/SPAM1 are active genes, whereas HYAL6/HYALP1 is a pseudogene. This means that the gene is transcribed into mRNA, but there is no translation of this mRNA, so no corresponding protein can be found.
Blocking HAase expression in bladder cancer cells leads to decreased angiogenesis, decreased cell growth and therefore to decreased tumor growth. Furthermore, the cancer cells are not able to invade into muscle, lymph nodes and vasculature any more.

Material and Methods:
Total RNA was isolated from 67 human bladder tissues whereof 35 were tumorous and 32 were normal. cDNA was made by reverse transcription and Real-time PCR was done using HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3, HYAL4, SPAM1 and HYALP1 primers. The HAase levels were then normalized to β-actin mRNA levels.

Results:
The difference of the expression between tumor and normal tissue was statistically significant for four out of six genes. Those are HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL4 and HYALP1. Almost no expression was seen for HYAL3 and SPAM1.

Conclusions (so far):
HYAL1, HYAL2 and HYAL4 might play an important role in tumor development and progression, whereas HYAL3 and SPAM1 seem to play no role. Further evaluation of the results will be done. Because HYALP1 is a pseudogene no conclusions can be made so far for this gene.