[bioundgrd] Summer UROP openings in biology labs

[Janice Chang]

Dear Biology majors:

Listed  below are UROP openings in biology labs for the summer. 
http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/undergrad/undergradresearch.html


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Lab of Terry Orr-Weaver

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.

Contact Prof. Orr-Weaver (weaver at wi.mit.edu)
http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/orrweaver.shtml.


Lab of Dennis Kim

Project:  Genetic analysis of immunity in C. elegans
Incoming sophomores will be considered.

Contact:  Prof. Dennis Kim (dhkim at mit.edu)
http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/kim.shtml


Lab of Penny Chisholm
http://web.mit.edu/biology/www/facultyareas/facresearch/chisholm.shtml

Contact Matt Sullivan (mbsulli at MIT.EDU)

Physiological characterization of oceanic cyanobacteria and their viruses
Summer 2006, Chisholm Laboratory

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).

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.

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.

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).

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE: Interviews will be conducted April 10 and 11th 
with a final decision made by April 12th.

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