[Bioundgrd] UROP Position Available

[Kathleen Long]

>Wet electron microscopy of macrophage cells
>
>Project Description:  Biological electron microscopy is commonly 
>carried out on either dried, sectioned samples, or metal replicas of 
>samples.  Cryoelectron microscopy allows for examination of hydrated 
>biological samples, but requires expensive apparatus.  Instead, we 
>plan to investigate biological samples using Quantomix wet electron 
>microscopy capsules.
>
>Wet electron microscopy is superior to normal electron microscopy 
>because it does not require dehydration of the samples.  It is known 
>that removing the water from the samples, no matter how gently, 
>causes macromolecules(such as proteins, carbohydrates, etc.) to 
>denature and lose their function.  It is hoped that the superior 
>resolution of electron microscopy, coupled with the ability to image 
>in fluid, will yield new insight into cell processes, specifically 
>motility of macrophage cells.
>
>To this end - we intend to use Quantomix wet EM capsules, in order 
>to investigate podosomes in IC21 cell line macrophages.  These 
>podosomes would be characterized by specific staining protocols, to 
>be worked out by the student.  EM results will then be correlated 
>with light microscopy results, obtained on the same sample(this 
>functionality is allowed by the Quantomix capsules).
>
>Prerequisites:  This project assumes only a basic proficiency in 
>cell biology.  Skills in cell culture and microscopy are hotly 
>desired.  A passion for microscopy/imagining would be helpful.
>
>Any student who is interested should get in contact as soon as 
>possible.  This position is available for the remainder of the 
>Spring semester, as well as over the Summer.  It is desired that any 
>student applying for this UROP intend to stay in the lab longer than 
>one semester, as training in the protocols is time-intensive.  The 
>position should take around 10 hrs a week during the semester, at 
>the Whithead Institute(near building 68).  Although initially the 
>undergraduate will have to coordinate with me and Nicki Watson for 
>training, after that, their schedule is essentially up to them, as 
>long as the requisite work is completed on time.
>
>Conceivably, this work could result in publications, which the 
>student would be named as an author on.  Compensation for the 
>undergraduate's time will be in the form of money, or 
>credits(preferably credits).
>
Contact:
>Winston Timp
>Graduate Student
>MIT/Whitehead Institute
>Rm. 639 9 Cambridge Center
>Cambridge, MA 02139
>Ph: 617-258-5206
>Fax: 617-258-7663
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