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labs</title></head><body>
<div>Dear Biology majors:</div>
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<div>Listed below are UROP openings in biology labs for the
summer.<font color="#000000">
http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/undergrad/undergradresearch.html</font></div
>
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<div>****</div>
<div><b><br></b></div>
<div><b>Lab of Terry Orr-Weaver</b></div>
<div><b><br></b></div>
<div>The project would be to do a genetic screen for genes controlling
the completion of meiosis. It would be done under the
supervision of a grad student. The UROP would have the
possibility to stay on through next year if the performance was
satisfactory. Prerequisites are 7.02 and 7.03.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Contact Prof. Orr-Weaver (weaver@wi.mit.edu)</div>
<div><font
color="#000000"
>http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/orrweaver.sh<span
></span>tml</font>.</div>
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<div><b>Lab of Dennis Kim</b></div>
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<div>Project: Genetic analysis of immunity in C. elegans</div>
<div>Incoming sophomores will be considered.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Contact: Prof. Dennis Kim (dhkim@mit.edu)</div>
<div><font
color="#000000"
>http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/kim.shtml</font
></div>
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<div><b>Lab of Penny Chisholm</b></div>
<div><font
color="#000000"
>http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/chisholm.sht<span
></span>ml</font></div>
<div><b><br></b></div>
<div>Contact Matt Sullivan (mbsulli@MIT.EDU)</div>
<div><br>
Physiological characterization of oceanic cyanobacteria and their
viruses<br>
Summer 2006, Chisholm Laboratory<br>
<br>
INTRODUCTION: The oceans are teeming with microbial life and their
viruses (phages). Through years of careful and persistent
culturing efforts, we have established a collection of marine
cyanobacteria and their cyanophages. These marine cyanobacteria
are the most numerous photosynthetic cells on the planet responsible
for up to 30% of carbon fixed globally, while we are only beginning to
understand their interactions with their phages. Because of
their ecological importance, these marine cyanobacteria have been
characterized in the laboratory at a genetic level using rRNA gene
sequences and subsequently shown that this genetic diversity often
correlates to light physiology, pigment ratios, nitrogen and
phosphorous utilization and susceptibility to trace metals and
phages. The range of hosts that these phages can infect has been
well characterized, and genomic sequencing has led to unprecedented
finds that elucidate intimate interactions between phage and host.
However, we have yet to understand many other basic physiological
properties of phage and host. Thus, the goal of the proposed
projects is to begin to understand the carbon-concentrating structure
in these cyanobacteria (PROJECT 1), as well as to optimize phage
harvesting and purification assays and characterize basic
physiological properties of their phages (PROJECT 2).<br>
<br>
PROJECT 1: This full-time UROP would work with a graduate student to
grow large-volume cultures under variable conditions in an effort to
understand biological effects on the carbon-concentrating mechanism
(carboxysomes) in these cells. The work would provide material
for a collaborative project to image these structures and should lead
to the opportunity for the student to develop an independent
sub-project focused in this area of study.<br>
<br>
PROJECT 2: The other half of this full-time UROP would focus on
optimizing assays for working with cyanobacterial viruses under the
direction of a post-doctoral researcher. This project offers the
opportunity to learn how to obtain infectious and DNA-containing ocean
virus titers, flow cytometry to count host cells as well as the
opportunity for an independent project as directed by the student's
interests after consult with their post-doc mentor.<br>
<br>
EXPERIENCE and COMMITMENT: Students with any level of experience will
be considered for the interview process. Preference for the job
will be given to those interested in working full-time during the
summer, and that are willing to commit to staying beyond the summer
(starting as soon as interested, part-time during semesters).<br>
<br>
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE: Interviews will be conducted April 10 and 11th
with a final decision made by April 12th.</div>
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