Undergraduate research opportunity

We have an opening for one or two highly motivated undergraduate student(s) in biophysical and polymer chemistry.  The successful applicant(s) would sign up for one or more research credits and join our team working on model systems for cytoplasm.  The cytoplasm of living cells is very densely populated with macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.  These high concentrations of polymers substantially impact both kinetics and thermodynamics of biochemical reactions inside the cell.  We have developed a synthetic model of the cytoplasm to incorporate these effects.  To date, we have used polyethylene glycol and dextran aqueous two-phase systems as model cytoplasm.  We would like to move towards more biologically relevant systems, for example charged polymers, proteins, and/or nucleic acids.  Initial experiments will entail determination of phase diagrams for several polymer or biomolecule pairs using a combination of benchtop and microscopic methods.  This would be an excellent project for an Honors thesis and has the potential to lead to coauthorship on publication(s).

For background information, students can refer to the following publications:

“Dynamic microcompartmentation within synthetic cells,” Long, M. S.; Jones, C.; Helfrich, M. R.; Mangeney-Slavin, L. K.; Keating, C. D. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2005, 102, 5920-5925.

“Nanoparticle conjugation increases protein partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems,” Long, M. S.; Keating, C. D. Analytical Chemistry 2006, 78, 379-386.

Interested students should contact Prof. Chris Keating via email.  Please provide the following information: Name, major, biology, math and physics courses taken, and what you would hope to get out of the experience.  Please also attach a resume.