{"id":123,"date":"2026-05-09T21:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T21:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.odu.edu\/odupresentationtemplate\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-05-10T01:14:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T01:14:20","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Cell Biology ePortfolio &#8211; Aayushi Tailor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Name:<\/strong> Aayushi Tailor<br><strong>Course:<\/strong> BIOL 293<br><strong>Date:<\/strong> May 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfa8 My Drawings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Draw a Cell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!selectors.core.file.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology-compressed-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of annotated-Cell20Biology-compressed-1.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-4dc63350-120c-4990-baa7-0dd83905aa0e\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology-compressed-1.pdf\">annotated-Cell20Biology-compressed-1<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology-compressed-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-4dc63350-120c-4990-baa7-0dd83905aa0e\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Draw a Biomolecule<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!selectors.core.file.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology203_compressed.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of annotated-Cell20Biology203_compressed.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-88fe8af2-f5bb-478b-9f7c-a1b25a02c3d5\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology203_compressed.pdf\">annotated-Cell20Biology203_compressed<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41240\/2026\/05\/annotated-Cell20Biology203_compressed.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-88fe8af2-f5bb-478b-9f7c-a1b25a02c3d5\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\ude02 A Science Meme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@medstudentsainthy\/video\/6918429689258200326\" data-video-id=\"6918429689258200326\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@medstudentsainthy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@medstudentsainthy?refer=embed\">@medstudentsainthy<\/a> <p><a title=\"fyp\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/fyp?refer=embed\">#fyp<\/a> <a title=\"biology\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/biology?refer=embed\">#biology<\/a> <a title=\"biologymemes\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/biologymemes?refer=embed\">#biologymemes<\/a> <a title=\"kardashians\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/kardashians?refer=embed\">#kardashians<\/a> <a title=\"biologyforyou\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/biologyforyou?refer=embed\">#biologyforyou<\/a> <a title=\"nucleus\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/nucleus?refer=embed\">#nucleus<\/a> <a title=\"cell\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/cell?refer=embed\">#cell<\/a> <a title=\"foryou\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/foryou?refer=embed\">#foryou<\/a><\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c Kourt as Kim From KUWTK - E! Entertainment\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/Kourt-as-Kim-From-KUWTK-6880608262086085381?refer=embed\">\u266c Kourt as Kim From KUWTK &#8211; E! Entertainment<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcda Scientific Literacy Essay: Animal Models &amp; New Approach Methodologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><br>Drugs that show effectiveness in mouse experiments usually do not work in human clinical trials. The FDA is studying the importance of animal testing for biomedical research, yet the challenges we face require the development of additional methods that focus on human biology. What if drug safety testing no longer relied on laboratory animals but instead used miniature human organs grown on microchips? This question sits at the heart of a paradigm shift. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including organs-on-chips and AI-driven models, are rapidly emerging as powerful alternatives to traditional animal testing. This essay analyzes the strengths and limitations of animal models, then evaluates how NAMs utilize human cells and data to predict drug safety more accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Strengths of Animal Models<\/strong><br>Animal models provide researchers with complete access to living organisms because they replicate entire biological systems. Researchers studying cancer and infectious diseases conduct animal testing because this approach allows them to monitor how multiple organ systems function together, similar to real human body operations (Robinson et al., 2019). Scientists can create transgenic or humanized animals that express human genes or develop human-like diseases (Vandamme, 2014). The development of insulin, vaccines, and antibiotics relied heavily on animal experimentation. Various animal species offer distinct advantages: rodents are inexpensive and breed quickly, while pigs are used in surgical research because their anatomy closely resembles humans (Swindle et al., 2012).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Limitations of Animal Models<\/strong><br>Despite their strengths, animal models show critical shortcomings. The most important issue is species differences. Genetically similar animals develop different disease responses and treatment outcomes, making it difficult to predict human health outcomes. Many animal studies fail to implement proper randomization, blinding, and sample size estimation, increasing the probability of bias (Macleod et al., 2009). Publication bias also distorts the literature\u2014studies with positive outcomes are more likely to be published, creating &#8220;excess significance bias&#8221; (Tsilidis et al., 2013). Over 90% of drug candidates that show safety in animal studies ultimately fail in human clinical trials (Seok et al., 2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How NAMs Utilize Human Cells and Data<\/strong><br>Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices containing living human cells that recreate the tissue architecture and physiological functions of human organs. These systems incorporate fluid flow, mechanical forces, and cellular interfaces that mimic the native tissue environment. For drug-induced liver injury (DILI) assessment, Emulate Inc.&#8217;s liver chip demonstrated 87% accuracy in identifying toxic compounds and 100% accuracy in flagging safe ones (He et al., 2026). Artificial intelligence amplifies this potential by analyzing complex datasets, integrating genomic readouts, identifying toxicity patterns, and creating &#8220;digital twins&#8221; that simulate drug behavior. Physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling enables quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation, predicting drug concentrations in human tissues without animal testing (Beekmann et al., 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Comparative Accuracy and Biological Limits<\/strong><br>NAMs address the translational failure of animal models by using human-derived cells and human-specific readouts. Regulatory acceptance is accelerating following the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which permits NAM-generated data to support drug applications. However, current NAMs face significant biological limitations. Individual organ chips model isolated tissues but cannot fully replicate systemic interactions between multiple organs, the endocrine system, or the gut microbiome&#8217;s role in drug metabolism. Standardizing microbial metabolism measurements for PBK models remains a significant challenge (Beekmann et al., 2024). Chronic toxicity\u2014effects of drugs over months or years\u2014is difficult to model in systems maintained for days or weeks. Researchers are developing &#8220;body-on-a-chip&#8221; systems, but these remain early-stage and face challenges in scalability and validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><br>Animal models have established themselves as essential foundations for biomedical research, providing whole-organism systems and historical medical advancements. However, their ability to predict human outcomes faces restrictions due to species differences and methodological weaknesses. New Approach Methodologies represent a fundamental reimagining of preclinical testing, shifting to human-cell-based platforms that offer superior physiological relevance. The path forward is strategic integration: using NAMs for high-throughput screening and mechanistic insights while acknowledging that animal models may still be needed for certain systemic questions. As regulatory frameworks evolve, these human-centered approaches promise a future where drug safety testing is both more humane and more accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References<\/strong><br>Beekmann, K., Folz, J., Aichinger, G., &amp; Stevanoska, M. (2024). Physiologically based kinetic (PBK) modeling as a new approach methodology (NAM) for predicting systemic levels of gut microbial metabolites. AGRIS.<br>He, J., Qu, Y., Zhang, H., Han, X., Lu, X., &amp; Han, X. (2026). AI-powered organoids and organ chips: Advancing human-specific models for biomedical research. The Innovation Medicine, 100186.<br>Macleod, M. R., et al. (2009). Good laboratory practice: Preventing introduction of bias at the bench. Stroke, 40(3), e50\u2013e52.<br>National Research Council. (2010). Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals (8th ed.). National Academies Press.<br>Seok, J., et al. (2013). Genomic responses in mouse models poorly mimic human inflammatory diseases. PNAS, 110(9), 3507\u20133512.<br>Swindle, M. M., et al. (2012). Swine as models in biomedical research and toxicology testing. Veterinary Pathology, 49(2), 344\u2013356.<br>Tsilidis, K. K., et al. (2013). Evaluation of excess significance bias in animal studies. PLoS Biology, 11(7), e1001609.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\uddec End-of-Term Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing I learned in this class that helped me make a connection to other coursework is the concept of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling by fibroblasts, which I read about in the Cell Biology PDF on regenerative medicine. In my introductory biochemistry course, we studied collagen structure and synthesis at the molecular level, but I did not fully appreciate how those molecules function in a living tissue repair context. Understanding that fibroblasts actually secrete and organize collagen, elastin, and fibronectin to form a scaffold for healing helped me connect protein structure to whole-organism physiology. This directly applies to my interest in immunology because abnormal ECM remodeling is a hallmark of fibrotic diseases and chronic inflammation. Realizing that the same molecular pathways we study in biochem (like TGF-\u03b2 signaling) are what control fibroblast behavior in wound healing made cell biology feel immediately relevant. As a student, this taught me to always ask, &#8220;How does this molecule behave in a real tissue?&#8221; rather than just memorizing pathways in isolation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Name: Aayushi TailorCourse: BIOL 293Date: May 7, 2026 \ud83c\udfa8 My Drawings 1. Draw a Cell 2. Draw a Biomolecule \ud83d\ude02 A Science Meme \ud83d\udcda Scientific Literacy Essay: Animal Models &amp; New Approach Methodologies IntroductionDrugs that show effectiveness in mouse experiments&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26596,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26596"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":192,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/123\/revisions\/192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wp.odu.edu\/cellbiology-final\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}