Within axons vital cargoes must be transported over great distances along microtubule tracks to maintain cell viability. In neuronal cells, many proteins function in sending and receiving messages, cell repair, and cell protection. The fundamental question my lab is interested in is whether long distance transport problems are an early precursor in neurodegenerative disease initiation, and if so do problems in transport initiate a “domino effect” that ultimately culminates in degenerative pathogenesis. The aging brain and pathology observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), prion disorders such as Creutzfeld-Jacob disease, Parkinson’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, could have common molecular mechanisms. As the human brain ages, neurons may become vulnerable and susceptible to environmental/oxidative damage, leading to chronic nervous system damage. Mutations in the transport motor machinery were found to not only affect transport but could also cause degenerative pathology. Thus transport problems may be a common phenomenon that could propitiate dementia and degeneration. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction is important not only in elucidating the mechanisms of disease initiation and the aging process, but also has long term implications for the development of neuroprotective treatments.
The emerging hypothesis from our previous work on two human neurodegenerative diseases is that the transport pathway, which is vital for healthy cells, can be compromised during these devastating diseases. Using genetics, cell biology, biochemical, pharmacological and biophysical analysis combined with an in vivo microscopy technique, future work is focused on understanding the nature of these motor-disease protein complexes and how these complexes affect intracellular transport.
We have two main areas of interest:
1: Identify molecules that modulate transport phenotypes induced by AD and HD proteins to elucidate what specific complexes/cargoes are being transported by these two motor-disease complexes.
2: Test small molecule compounds directed at known pathways to determine if the transport pathway can be useful as a therapeutic target.
Experience required: None, but motivation to be involved in scientific discovery and curiosity in the unknown.
Compensation: Research Credit, Voluntary, Independent Study, salary opportunities depended on funding
Website: http://biology.buffalo.edu/Faculty/Gunawardena/gunawardena.html <http://biology.buffalo.edu/Faculty/Gunawardena/gunawardena.html>
Description: Self-motivated student wanted to participate in research projects using molecular, immunocytochemical and/or physiological techniques to study cell signaling in taste cells.
Beginning Date: Summer 2008, potentially Fall 2008
For more information please consult the following pdf: Medler Research Opp
The University Honors College and The Graduate School are sponsoring a Graduate School Funding Presentation on Thursday, March 20th in 120 Clemens Hall Lobby.4:00-5:00 pm. The session will provide participants with an overview of the National Science Foundation – Graduate Research Fellowship Program and National Institutes of Health Fellowship Programs. Current UB graduate students and faculty will share their perspectives on the application process and benefits of fellowships. Please note NSF & NIH fellowships are open only to individuals who, at the time of application, are citizens, nationals or permanent resident aliens of the United States. You are invited to attend:
Graduate School Funding Presentation -
National Science Foundation (NSF) & National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ http://grants.nih.gov/training/extramural.htm
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Presentation: 4:00PM in 120 Clemens Hall
nsf-nih-presentation-flyer_s2008.pdf
During Summer and Fall 2008 Drs. Lasker and Coffroth will run a course on the ecology of tropical marine ecosystems with particular emphasis on coral reefs.
The course is held in the Bahamas at the Gerace Research Centre on San Salvador. Work at the station will include daily lectures followed by field trips and laboratory exercises that examine coral reef, mangrove, grassbed and intertidal communities
For more information please consult the following pdf: Marine Biology Field Course
Study Abroad in Amsterdam, July 27—August 24, 2008—receive 15 credits!
Engage the city of Amsterdam through social science and humanities research projects. After a spring prep seminar at the UW, and in consult with faculty, we will relocate to the University of Amsterdam and pursue collaborative research as a means to learn about and interact with Amsterdam’s urban culture. Our partners in Amsterdam are the International School for the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam and the Virtual Knowledge Studio at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
SPRING : In the spring seminar we’ll read Ian Buruma’s “Murder in Amsterdam,The Death of Theo van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance” while learning how to conduct research using urban studies, humanities, and collaborative research methodologies. Students from other universities will participate in the spring seminar virtually.
SUMMER (15 credits): Once in Amsterdam, students will conduct field research and meet on the university campus to learn form local scholars. Interspersed in the program are a series of group dinners, walking tours, and outings. The still-in-progress schedule will included destinations such as the Prostitution Information Center, the Amsterdam Resistance Museum, Jewish Historical Museum, the Kroller- Muller museum and sculpture park, and other local sites. Walking tours include destinations such as Dam Square, Royal Palace, National Memorial, the Red Light district, the Bijlmer neighborhood and the old Jewish Quarter.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION: Student will present their research projects at the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology, an academic conference in the city of Rotterdam.
For more information about the program and to apply online go to: http://depts.washington.edu/uwhonors/international/amsterdam.htm
Questions welcome; for further information, contact Professor Jessica Burstein (jb2@u.washington.edu) and/or Clifford Tatum (clifford@u.washington.edu )
Brief Description/background of project: I am currently working on a project that involves the protection of traditional “Celtic knot designs” from possible U.S. copy-write and U.S. Design patents. As we all know, these simple knot designs have been produced for millennia by peoples who historically were called the Celtic tribes of Europe. Currently, there have been copy-write issues about the creation and use of these traditional designs that are currently being shared by dress makers, craftsman, jewelers, tattoo artists and other individuals who are involved with reconstructing their Celtic traditions; people who feel that these traditional designs belong to everyone as a shared visual product.
Students interested in researching U.S. copy-write and Patent laws pertaining to this form of Design/Art work should contact Kim James Yarwood via e-mail. Academic Credit/Honors Experience available as compensation.
Kim James Yarwood
Academic Advisor
Department of Visual Studies
University at Buffalo
yarwood@buffalo.edu
2008 Undergraduate Research Prize
The PRIZE recognizes students who produce significant academic inquiry
requiring use of information resources, the Libraries, and the collections.
Undergraduate research conducted by individual students or by student
teams is eligible.
For more information: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/ext/UndergradResearchPrize.html
ub-prizeposter.pdf
When: Friday, Feb 15th at 1:00pm (meet at the Academies office in 17 Norton, transportation will be provided to Praxair)
Description: Praxair is a worldwide leader in engineering and research. The trip to the facility in Tonawanda, NY is a showcase of Praxair’s National Logistics Center. The Tonawanda location is not only a site of engineering and systems innovation, but is also a corporate headquarters. The tour will include a brief presentation on Praxair’s R&D work, a tour of their labs to see test equipment, and time for Q&A. The tour will also discuss internship possibilities and the value of these opportunities.
Space for this event is limited and Transportation is available. To reserve a spot contact Chris Piotrowski at 645-8176, or email at cmp26@buffalo.edu
ug-research-team_praxair-tour.pdfug-research-team_praxair-tour.pdf
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program provides undergraduates with critical research experiences, preparation for the GRE, mentoring, professional skills, and assistance with the graduate school application process. Students who are low-income & first-generation OR are from an ethnic group historically underrepresented in doctoral study are eligible. Students must be a US citizen or permanent resident, a junior or second semester sophomore and have a good academic records. For more information, contact Courtney Cannon, Project Coordinator at ccannon2@buffalo.edu or visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/vpaa/mcnair
The University of Wyoming (http://www.wyomingbioinformatics.org/SummerSchool/) is proud to offer summer research opportunities to external undergraduate students to engage in research in bioinformatics and computational molecular biology in Laramie. The summer research program will last from May 26, 2008 to August 4, 2008 and will include a stipend of $3500 for the period.
The summer 2007 program included students from Amherst College and Oberlin College.
Several labs that will host bioinformatics/computational molecular biology students include:
To apply, send a resume and statement of research interests to liberles@uwyo.edu, arrange to have 2 letters of recommendation sent directly by the letter writer to liberles@uwyo.edu, and arrange to have an official transcript sent to:
David Liberles
Department of Molecular Biology
Dept. 3944
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis starting on March 3, 2008.
