[bioundgrd] FW: UROP: Seeking life beyond Earth via single molecule detection

[Joshua Stone]

From: Christopher Carr
Subject: UROP: Seeking life beyond Earth via single molecule detection

Hi,

I'm a research scientist at MIT working with Prof. Maria Zuber and would like to advertise a UROP to the MIT Biology undergraduate community.
Details below and PDF attached.

Christopher E. Carr, Sc.D.
Research Scientist, MIT
Research Fellow, MGH
chrisc at mit.edu
https://www.cecarr.com/
https://twitter.com/c_e_carr
+1-617-253-0786<tel:%2B1-617-253-0786> (office)
+1-617-643-2910<tel:%2B1-617-643-2910> (lab)
+1-617-216-5012<tel:%2B1-617-216-5012> (mobile)

Lab and shipping address:
MGH Mol Bio Simches Bldg
185 Cambridge St, CPZN7700
Boston, MA 02114, USA

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UROP: Seeking life beyond Earth via single molecule detection
Apply By
March 6, 2020
Term
Spring
Department
EAPS
MIT Faculty Supervisor Name
Maria T. Zuber
MIT Faculty Supervisor E-mail
zuber at mit.edu<mailto:zuber at mit.edu>
Immediate Supervisor Name
Christopher E. Carr
Immediate Supervisor E-mail
chrisc at mit.edu<mailto:chrisc at mit.edu>
Project Title
Seeking life beyond Earth via single molecule detection
Project Description
Our group is working on life detection instruments for Mars and Ocean Worlds utilizing single molecule detection, including 1) nanopore-based nucleic acid sequencing, and 2) fully electronic single molecule detection. Together, these two approaches will target life as we know it, and life as we don’t know it.

1)    Contribute to engineering development of these life detection instruments through engineering design, fabrication, and testing (including in a thermal vacuum chamber and during a parabolic flight). Useful skills: SOLIDWORKS, EAGLE or other printed circuit board design tools, soldering, circuit board assembly, microcontroller programming, 3d printing).

2)    Carry out wet lab experiments to study organic biomarker preservation, extraction, and detection (hypersaline lakes; Atacama Desert; synthetic analogs of Mars).

a.     Evaluating DNA damage and DNA repair methods

b.    Applying them to environmental DNA

c.     Evaluating detection of damaged DNA bases via single molecule sequencing.

3)    Apply bioinformatics analyses to characterize the limits of life. Useful skills: Unix, Docker, python, MATLAB.

4)    Use statistics and machine learning approaches to analyze single molecule data.
You will have an opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team, to gain expertise in a variety of disciplines, to develop skills applicable to future research and industry, carry out experiments, build hardware, test under space-like conditions, and ultimately, deploy space hardware. The sky is not the limit.
Prerequisites
You must be highly motivated, technically excellent, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to work independently and contribute to an interdisciplinary team, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience in aerospace / mechanical / electrical / biological engineering, biology, geology, or a related field is a plus. We also highly value creativity, drive, and dedication to the search for life beyond Earth. Experience with molecular biology, embedded systems, microcontrollers, mechanical design, thermal modeling, space instrumentation, and other relevant skills valued but not required. First-year students welcome.
Time Commitment and Location: 10+ hours/week during semester, full-time during summer (if relevant), based one T-stop from MIT at the Massachusetts General Hospital (185 Cambridge St, Boston MA 02114).
Contact Name
Christopher E. Carr
Contact E-mail
chrisc at mit.edu<mailto:chrisc at mit.edu>
Contact Details:
Send email with “UROP” in subject line, resume/CV, and short statement of interest by March 6 to chrisc at mit.edu<mailto:chrisc at mit.edu>.
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