[bioundgrd] Summer UROP Opening: Mars Life Detection Experiment
Rachel McPherson
rachelm at MIT.EDU
Thu Apr 27 15:12:55 EDT 2006
-------------------------
Subject: UROP Project Opening
Department/Lab/Center: MIT EAPS / MGH / Harvard
Faculty Supervisor: Maria T. Zuber
Project Title: Search for Extraterrestrial Genomes: An in situ PCR
Detector For Life on Mars Ancestrally Related to Life on Earth
Project Description (<250 words):
Due to significant meteoritic exchange between Earth and Mars, a
reasonable case can be made that life (past or present) on Mars may
be ancestrally related to life on Earth. We are developing a DNA
detector (based on polymerase chain reaction, or PCR) for in situ
analysis on other planets, most immediately, Mars. This instrument
will allow the detection very low levels of any microbial life on
Mars, and will determine its phylogenetic position by analysis of the
DNA sequence of the genes detected in situ.
We are seeking two highly motivated individuals for paid full-time
summer positions to join our team to (1) design, build, and run
experiments with a bench-top microfluidics-based prototype that uses
some of the technologies developed by the Quake lab at Stanford, and
(2) carry out DNA detection experiments using relevant "extreme
environment" terrestrial samples.
Prerequisites or Requirements for the position:
We are looking for individuals with some of the following skills and interests:
* Bio-lab experience (PCR, gel eletrophoresis, microfluidics)
* Optics, imaging
* Mechanical/electronics design, MATLAB, microcontrollers
This position is located in the Simches building at Massachusetts
General Hospital. You would work as part of our
MIT/Harvard/MGH/Industry team, in a great environment, a 5 minute
walk from the Charles/MGH T station.
Contact Information (email, URL):
Please call or email Christopher E. Carr (617-216-5012,
chrisc at mit.edu) to arrange an interview.
Christopher E. Carr
Post-doctoral Associate
chrisc at mit.edu
+1-617-452-2304 (office)
+1-617-643-2910 (lab)
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