2023 Summer Research Opportunities
Do plants deploy epigenetic weapons to disrupt gene expression in animals? How does this work in nature? What might it mean for human health? Help us find out!
Three summer research assistantships are available in the laboratories of Prof. Somers, Kushner, and Arnold to participate in research sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The project uses bioinformatic approaches to determine how plant natural products sabotage the epigenetic systems of herbivorous insects. Students will work as a team to conduct experiments with caterpillars, moths, and butterflies, isolate RNA from tissues, and analyze RNAseq date to uncover changes in gene expression caused by plant natural products. Research students will learn the required computational techniques with us during the summer. This summer’s projects include:
- Raising three species, from caterpillars to butterflies, for multiple generations.
- Isolating tissues from ovaries, fat bodies, and the nervous system by microdissection.
- Exploring the impact of natural plant products and pharmaceutical HDAC inhibitors on enzyme activity and gene expression using RNAseq.
- Documenting the potential for plant natural products and drugs to slow development & aging.
- Examining the impact of natural plant products on endosomal / lysosomal cycling.
- Testing the potential for trans-generational epigenetic inheritance of induced phenotypes.
- Exploring the impact of climate warming on the effectiveness of these “epigenetic weapons”.
Applicants should have completed at least one Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Science course at the upper-level(200-level or higher) and have interest in learning some bioinformatics techniques, including basic programming. These are paid 8-week positions located on the Dickinson College campus. This year we expect to start on May 29. research students earn #350/week ($2800 for 8 weeks) and receive free housing on campus. To be eligible, students must be a current Dickinson student in summer 2023. Interested applicants should complete the research application (download link below) and send the file to Prof. Arnold via e-mail – arnoldt@dickinson.edu – by Friday 2/17/23.