Bret Peterson, Microbial Biology
Project Title: HIV Transcriptional Activation via KSHV ORF45 and Epigenetic Regulation
Faculty Mentor: Britt Glaunsinger
Project Description
Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a common infection among immuno-compromised individuals, in particular, in individuals infected with HIV. Experiments outlined in this proposal are aimed at uncovering the functional significance of a transcriptional activator’s (ORF-45) interactions with epigenetic factors, as well as determining how these factors contribute to activator’s ability to transcriptionally activate the HIV-1 promoter.
Grady Pierroz, Genetics & Plant Biology
Project Title: How Does the Tissue Culture Process Affect DNA Methylation?
Faculty Mentor: Chelsea Specht
Project Description
The process of tissue culture should in theory lead to the development of exact clones of the parental plant. However, phenotypically aberrant plants are often produced that might be due to changes in the methylation profile of the plant’s genome due to stresses during tissue culture. Experiments outlined in this proposal will look at DNA methylation patterns at three different points in the tissue culture process of banana.
Stephanie Byun, Nutritional Science: Physiology & Metabolism
Project Title: Redox State and Overexpression of Thioredoxin Affect Seed Properties of Sorghum
Faculty Mentor: Peggy G. Lemaux
Project Description
Sorghum bicolor is a widely cultivated crop, favored for its nutritional value and ability to grow under unfavorable growth conditions. Experiments outlined in this proposal will investigate germination differences in seeds from plants engineered to overexpress thioredoxin h (Trx h), a naturally occurring redox protein. In addition, biochemical characterizations of seeds will look at differences in the state of starch and protein within the seed during germination.
Student: Pui Ching Lan, Molecular Toxicology
Project Title: Analysis of Cellulase Secretion Pathways in Neurospora crassa
Faculty Mentor: Louise N. Glass
Project Description
Efficient degradation of organic matter plays a key role in sustainable use of our energy and feedstock resources. Many filamentous fungi are true experts in efficiently degrading recalcitrant the lignocellulosic biomass of feedstocks; however, little is known about production and secretion of their degrading enzymes. Experiments outlined in this proposal aim to elucidate different protein secretion pathways for the different degrading enzymes using the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa.
Student: Xiao Jin, Molecular Environmental Biology
Project Title: Plant Immune Responses to Bacterial Pathogens
Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Lewis
Project Description
The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae causes disease in numerous plant species. Virulence is primarily achieved by the type III secretion systems involved translocation in the plant of effector proteins, thought to suppress host defense signaling. Recognition of effector proteins by resistance proteins induces a defense response. Experiments outlined in this proposal seek to use a wide range of plant species to investigate defense response to the P. syringae.
Student: Olivia Cope, Genetics and Plant Biology
Project Title: Systematics of Heliconia and Co-Diversification with Hummingbird Pollinators
Faculty Mentor: Chelsea Specht
Project Description
Hummingbirds are important pollinators of certain plants. Experiments outlined in this project involve the use of DNA markers to develop a phylogeny for plants in the genus, Heliconia, which are attractive to hummingbirds, that are important mediators for pollinating these plants. An attempt will also be made to develop ideas about the co-evolution of Heliconia with hummingbirds.
Student: Cameron Musser, Genetics and Plant Biology
Project Title: Developmental Evolution of Ginger Flowers
Faculty Mentor: Chelsea Specht
Project Description
Zingiberales, e.g., gingers, bananas, are tropical monocots with dramatic flowers that attract pollinators. It is of interest to understand how these flowers evolved. Protein modifications appear to play a major role in diversification in angiosperms. Experiments in this project will use viral induced gene knockdowns to test the role of specific genes in floral development, as well as protein-protein interaction assays to test the interactions of certain MADS box proteins.
Student: Sujin Park, UND (???)
Project Title: Molecular Characterization of Transgene Induced Phenotypes
Faculty Mentor: Renee Sung
Project Description
Introduction of rice embryonic flower (EMF) genes into Arabidopsis were shown to rescue Arabidopsis emf mutants, but this also resulted in novel phenotypes, potentially through co-suppression of the transgene. Experiments in this project are designed to understand the molecular basis of the new phenotype in order to identify the target genes of the siRNA that is responsible for the novel phenotypes.
Students: Mary Ahern, Molecular Environmental Biology and Lauren Kivlen, Microbial Biology
Project Title: How Do Plant Cells Communicate With Each Other?
Faculty Mentor: Pat Zambryski
Project Description
Plant cells are surrounded by cell walls so that individual cells do not physically touch. To allow communication between cells, plants have evolved channels, called plasmodesmata (PD), which span the space between cells. Experiment in this project will use techniques, like fluorescence microscopy, to learn about the structure and function of PD through the investigation of mutants with increased or decreased PD-mediated cell-to-cell transport.
Pierre-Alain Blosse, Plant and Microbial Biology
"This showed me the life of a scientist much better than any of the classes I have taken at Cal."
Stephanie Borges, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Professor Sharon Fleming
"I gained hands on research experience in addition to effective literature search skills. I got experience in the field and learned the processes that must be dealt with in order to use human subjects."
Read Stephanie's SPUR story...
David Garber, Agricultural Resources and Economics
Advisor: Professor Sofia Villas-Boas
"I learned the value of teamwork, how to use GIS and arcmap, and a lot of economic theory."
Brian Kim, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Professor Andy Jackson
"I think if everything goes well, we will be able to publish this work with Brian as a coauthor."
Laura Lagomarsino, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Assistant Professor Chelsea Specht
"Now, I know exactly what I want to do and what I want to study. "
Maya Mileck, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Professor Peggy Lemaux
"Without a program like SPUR, I would never have approached a faculty member to ask to participate in their research project."
Subhajit Poddar, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Professor Krishna Niyogi
"Once I began working with mutant strains of algae, I was totally hooked."
Matt Stuckey, Environmental Sciences and Policy Management
Advisor: Professor George Roderick
Working on cloning nuclear genes to assess genetic variation within and among populations of C. behrii
Jonathon Treffkorn, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
Advisor: Professor Whendee Silver
"...a scientist must be prepared for all contingencies, and be ready to be flexible and make changes on-the-fly for any unexpected problems."
Jenny Zhang, Plant and Microbial Biology
Advisor: Professor Bob Buchanan
"...the most important part in research is being able to interpret the results critically."