Hello again,

My name is Devyn Napier and a few months ago I asked for some advice and guidance regarding my science fair topic because I was entering a science fair and I began hitting dead ends and felt very discouraged. My topic was concerning Alopecia Areata and I have been working for about 10 months on this project. My project involved manipulating the external environment of two proteins involved in this autoimmune disease (i.e. NKG2D and ULBP3). I predicted that by altering the optimal temperature of these two proteins, when given the opportunity to bind, I could inhibit their binding or at least slow their binding rate. I ran an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (a test using color change and antibodies to detect change in a solution) and was successful in my endeavors. Each microplate had fifteen minutes to bind and my results were impressive. So much so that I actually placed second at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair! It was a completely unbelievable experience and I could not have done it with out the unconditional support I received from everyone here. I received the highest place ever in my Medical and Biotechnology Academy and I am so grateful.
I wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who followed my blog and provided me with their advice. Everyone was so helpful and I really appreciate the support I received.

I have uploaded a few photos from the science fair onto my profile.