[bioundgrd] Summer UROP Opening: Mars Life Detection Experiment

[Rachel McPherson]

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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)