CST Undergraduate Research Program Spring 2013

E-mail: achary@temple.edu

a. Validation of genomic and gene expression markers for differentiating human metastatic and non-metastatic primary breast cancers. b. Inhibition of human glioblastoma tumors by betulinic acid combined with ionizing radiation in a nude mouse model.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: None to one summer lab research experience - Sincerity

Courses: The research plan could be designed depending on the time the student can spare

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mautieri@temple.edu

Vascular restenosis, atherosclerosis, and other vascular diseases are inflammatory in nature. Accordingly, any compound which may decrease inflammation could represent a y to attenuate most vascular diseases. Interleukin-19 (IL-19) is a compound which occurs naturally in humans and functions to modify inflammatory cells. We have previously shown that IL-19 is turned on in arterial cells under inflammatory conditions. We have generated IL-19 transgenic and knock out mice to test the hypothesis that IL-19 is protective for vascular diseases. In this project, the student will prepare and analyze tissue sections from these mice by histology and immunohistochemistry to determine if these mice are protected against atherosclerosis and/or restenosis. If these experiments are successful, then IL-19 could represent a new class of naturally occurring therapy to combat multiple vascular diseases.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: 1- biology, 2- pre-med

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: manual dexterity. ability to get along with others. ability to take direction. punctuality and dependability. - honesty, dependability, willingness to learn new techniques

Courses: any general biology, anatomy, physiology, or the similar.

Hours Per Week: 8, but we can be flexable

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: darius@temple.edu

We use zebrafish as a model system to study human development. We recently isolated a mutant of zebrafish Tbx5, the gene responsible for Holt-Oram syndrome in humans. The phenotypes of our zebrafish mutants (forelimb and heart abnormalities) are remarkably similar to the human Holt-Oram phenotypes. We would like to use our zebrafish model to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the human phenotypes. In this project, you will start with our Tbx5 gene trap mutant and attempt to genetically engineer the locus, removing the gene trap and creating a deletion. In parallel, you will attempt to modify the gene trap allele using homologous recombination.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior

Skills: This project is most suitable for a very ambitious person who has a long-term interest to pursue a PhD or an MD/PhD degree. It will definitely take more than a year to complete, and therefore is most suitable for a sophomore or a junior. Interest in genetics, molecular biology and/or developmental biology is a must, as is the ability and desire to take charge and work independently. You will be provided with training and every resource needed succeed.

Courses: Current enrollment or completion of Bio 2112.

Hours Per Week: 10+

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: darius@temple.edu

Zebrafish is a widely accepted model system to study vertebrate development. We use transposable elements to mutate genes and analyze their function in zebrafish development and physiology. This insertional mutagenesis effort is ongoing, with over 50 genes mutated to date. Interested candidates may contribute to the analysis of existing gene trap lines, screening for new mutations, and testing of new insertional mutagenesis vectors.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: This project would suit well for self-motivated, independent students interested in pursuing graduate careers in Genetics or Developmental Biology.

Courses: Current enrollment or completion of Bio 2112.

Hours Per Week: 10+

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: jorune@temple.edu

We are interested in identifying genes important for development and maintenance of nicotine addiction. As neural and molecular pathways leading to drug addiction are highly conserved across animal species including fish and mammals, we will use zebrafish as a genetic model system to find genes which play a role in addictive processes. Our immediate goal is to develop a robust behavioral assay that quantifies nicotine addiction in larval and adult zebrafish. We will then apply this assay to test different mutants for alterations in nicotine addiction. The second aspect of this project is to develop various transgenic tools to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in zebrafish, with the aim to identify neuronal circuits involved in addiction.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Skills taught in laboratory courses

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: bellipa4@temple.edu

In our laboratory we are interested to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to the induction and specification of D/V patterning in the zebrafish embryo via Wnt/ b-catenin activity. During our previous research we have identify the gene responsive for the maternal recessive mutation ichabod (ich) in a second b-catenin gene (b-cat2) (Bellipanni et al. 2006). b-catenin plays essential roles in cellular physiology being the pivotal player for Ca+-dependent cell-cell adhesion and for transduction of Wnt signaling. In the cytoplasm b-catenin interacts with a-catenin and type I cadherins mediating cell-cell adherence junctions adhesion, but, in response to Wnt signaling, it is also transduced into the nucleus where binds to DNA binding factors of the lef/tcf family and activates transcription of a battery of Wnt target genes. Aberrant activity of this factor has been linked with congenital birth defects and cancer. We use large array of biochemical and molecular biology techniques to understand at molecular level the mechanism that control b-catenin nuclear localization.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior and Senior

Skills: Self-motivated, enthusiasm and interested in research. Basic knowledge of laboratory practice

Courses: introductory courses in Biology and Chemistry

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: eborguet@temple.edu

Develop chemical coatings for hydrogen and humidity Students will use a variety of analytical techniques such as IR, Atomic Force Microscopy

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: Interest in research

Courses: Gen Chem Gen Physics

Hours Per Week: 10 to 15 hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: eborguet@temple.edu

The position involves the use of vibrational Sum Frequency Generation (SFG) to investigate molecules at interfaces, such as mineral surfaces. We are also investigating the ultrafast vibrational dynamics of aqueous species, including water, at mineral surfaces. Students will learn about surface chemistry and laser spectroscopy

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry Physics

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: Interest in research - Aptitude for careful laboratory research

Courses: Gen Chem Gen Physics

Hours Per Week: 10 to 15 hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: coast@temple.edu

The new Coastal and Aeolian Research Laboratory at Temple is focused on understanding modern processes and the geological record of the Earth's most dynamic environments and ecosystems at the land-sea interface. - Fieldwork will include investigation of modern coastal processes, geological record of storms, and biogenic sedimentary structures within beaches and dunes along the Atlantic Coast (Maryland, New Jersey, and New England). - Laboratory work will involve sediment examination using a new particle-size analyzer, post-processing of geophysical records (from sites ranging from the dunes of New Mexico to the shores of eastern Europe), and opportunities for projects with a biological component (trace fossil analysis and coastal paleoecological indicators).

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Geology Environmental Science Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Ability to work in the laboratory and in the field as part of a research team; strong quantitative and writing skills; willingness to present data at student forums and professional conferences.

Courses: 2001 Physical Geology or higher-level EES courses or equivalent - The proposed work is part of a new research initiative at Temple and will provide undergraduates with a range of skills necessary for a career in Geological and Environmental Sciences or a related field.

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: marion.chan@temple.edu

We investigate the molecular mechanisms that resolve inflammation and explore the potential of dietary substances as preventives and therapeutics for arthritis in mouse model. Techniques that we employ includes PCR for gene expression, ELISA, lipid analysis, cell culture, flow cytometry, etc,

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Basic biology

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: good organizational skill, attention to details - critical thinking, responsible, patience, team player

Hours Per Week: 2 to 3 credit hours, 8 -10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: kchen@temple.edu

Electron tunneling is a quantum phenomenon that can be utilized to probe materials with a energy resolution and richness of information that many other techniques cannot achieve. It can also be used to construct portable sensors to detect molecules, magnetic field, radiation, etc. This project is to fabricate a tunneling device and apply it to chemical sensing. Students will be training to use basic micro-/nano- fabrication and characterization tools, including atomic force microscope, photolithography, evaporator, etc. and gain knowledge and hands-on experience in vacuum technology, cryogenic measurement, nano-fabrication that can lead them for future studies in related areas.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Physics, Chemistry, Electric Engineering

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Hard working, good motivation, fond of problem solving by independent study, as well as basic training in physics, chemistry, or electronics.

Courses: general physics e.g. PHYS 1061, 2021

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: prince.chidyagwai@gmail.com

Our research group develops efficient finite element methods for fluid flow simulations that compute forces at fluid-structure boundaries with high accuracy. This is important for instance for the computation of lift and drag on airplane wings, and efficient sedimentation processes. Students involved in this project will devise and implement analysis and visualization tools for meshes and data in complex three-dimensional domains.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Computer Science /math

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Programming (Matlab and/or C preferred)

Courses: 2043. Multivariable Calculus required, knowledge of3041. Differential Equations recommended

Hours Per Week: 10 to 15

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: seo.hee.cho@temple.edu

Our research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the normal development and degenerative diseases of the mammalian retina. Topics we currently study include: (I) Functional analysis of apical polarity gene Pals1 during retinal development. (II) Pathophysiology study of degenerative retinal diseases (LCA and RP) to understand the underlying disease causing mechanisms. We are particularly interested in polarity defect in retinal progenitor cells, which causes early-onset, photoreceptor degeneration in Leber Congenital Amaurosis 8 (LCA 8) and/or late-onset Retinitis Pigmentosa 12 (RP12). (III) Cell-transplantation and gene-based therapies: Our goal is to customize therapy strategies using cell- and gene-based approaches to restore vision loss in LCA8-like mouse model in preclinical settings. (IV) Investigating the function of tumor suppressor genes, TSC2 and Hippo-Yap signal transduction pathway components, in the eye development.

Location: MERB, 6th Fl. Shriners Hospital Pediatric Research Center

Majors: Biology related

Class Year: any

Skills: not required

Courses: General Biology recommended

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: co-authorship possible

E-mail: seo.hee.cho@temple.edu

Using mouse as a model system, we are trying to understand the role of Hippo-Yap and TSC1/2-mTOR signal transduction cascades during eye development. We use neural retina and non-neural lens tissues for the study. Molecular biological, cell biological, immunohistochemcal and imaging techniques will be used to assay cell proliferation, growth, death, and differentiation in wild type and conditional knock-out animals of the genes involved in the above signal transduction pathways.

Location: Health Science Campus, MERB 6th floor

Majors: Biology related

Class Year: Freshman,Sophomoe, Junior or senior

Skills: Recombinant DNA techniques

Courses: General Biology recommended

Hours Per Week: 20 hours a week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: pchong02@temple.edu

The goal of this research is to design novel liposomes for targeted drug delivery to treat cancers. We will use bipolar tetraether lipids (BTL) as the matrix lipids and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-linked conventional lipids as the minor component to make liposomes (100-200 nm in diameter) with entrapped anticancer drugs. BTL will be isolated from the thermoacidophilic archaea Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Physical properties of these BTL-based liposomes will be characterized using a variety of biophysical techniques. Drug release and the inhibitory effect of liposomal drug against breast cancer cells will be monitored. These BTL-based liposomes are expected to show remarkable stability against temperature, pH gradient, mechanical stress, pressure, serum proteins, bile salts, and enzymatic digestions; and, they can be tailored for targeted delivery and controllable release of anticancer drugs to solid tumors. This multidisciplinary research involves microbe growth, lipid purification, chemical modification and characterization of archaeal lipids, fluorescence spectroscopy, microscopy, calorimetry, and the usage of cell biology techniques. The obtained results may lead to new designs of liposomal drugs to treat cancers with a higher efficacy.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Chemistry, Biology, and Physics

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: GPA, research interest -Basic chem. lab skills

Hours Per Week: 10-15 hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dattapk@temple.edu

The demonstration that HIV-1 Nef is secreted from infected cells in exosomes (membranous nanovesicles 40-100nm in diameter) utilizing the endocytic cellular machinery and is found in abundance in the sera of HIV-infected, and the observation that exosomal Nef induces apoptosis in uninfected CD4+ T cells suggests that Nef might play a key role in the pathogenesis of NeuroAIDS. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that neurons treated with exosomes derived from Nef overexpressing macrophages, astrocytes and microglia transduced with Nef gene promote neuronal dysfunction.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry.

Class Year: Junior, Senior

Skills: Juniors or seniors who are contemplating a career in biomedically related sciences. General laboratory experience. Experience with microsoft excel program. The applicant must also demonstrate a commitment to a serious learning experience. The candidate should be punctual, sincere and have the willingness to learn and execute the assigned task on time. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and should have completed at least college-level general biology,

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dattapk@temple.edu

The Excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT2) is the major glutamate transporter expressed predominantly by astrocytes in the brain. Dysregulation of glutamate transport induces neurotoxicity associated with HIV-1-associated dementia. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the dysregulation of EAAT2 expression in the context of NeuroAIDS. Our long term goal is to identifying therapeutic approaches that are capable of modulating EAAT2 expression that could potentially inhibit, ameliorate, or prevent various neurodegenerative diseases, including NeuroAIDS.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry.

Class Year: Junior, Senior

Skills: Juniors or seniors who are contemplating a career in biomedically related sciences. General laboratory experience. Experience with microsoft excel program. The applicant must also demonstrate a commitment to a serious learning experience. The candidate should be punctual, sincere and have the willingness to learn and execute the assigned task on time. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and should have completed at least college-level general biology,

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dux@temple.edu

Gartner Report has ranked Cloud Computing as a top two technology in 2009. A Cloud is a virtual network of physical or virtual machines – a web-scale distributed computing system built with private and public computers over the Internet. Cloud resources are dynamically provisioned and de-provisioned with low reconfiguration overhead. Cloud is client/mission-oriented, formed by service-level agreements (SLA) between provider and paid clients. Cloud is huge and web-scale, easy to access, intelligent and personalized, and programmable. Several major companies (such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon) have started providing Cloud Computing to middle/small businesses and individuals. The new concept of Cloud Computing offers dynamically scalable resources provisioned as a service over the Internet and therefore promises a lot of economic benefits to be distributed among its adopters. On the other hand, along with these benefits, Cloud Computing also raises severe concerns especially regarding the security and reliability provided by such a concept. Completely relying the own data and execution tasks to an external company, eventually residing in another country with a different regulatory environment, may cause companies not to consider Cloud Computing but to stick to the conventional local data center approach. In this project, the undergraduate student will work with Dr. Du and his Ph.D. students on Security and Privacy Issues in Cloud Computing, which are critical to the success of Cloud Computing.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CS IST ECE

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Good programming skills High GPA Sound math background

Hours Per Week: 10 or more

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dux@temple.edu

In this project, the undergraduate student will work with Dr. Du and his Ph.D. students on 4G/Hybrid Wireless Networks (HWNs). 4G is the new trend of wireless networks, and it includes the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiMAX technologies. The research will focus on efficient Quality-of-Service (QoS) provisioning and communications in 4G/HWNs. An HWN consists of an infrastructure network (e.g., a 4G cellular network) and a few ad hoc components (e.g., mobile ad hoc networks). By forming an HWN, one can achieve the benefits of both infrastructure wireless networks, such as good reliability and QoS support, and ad hoc networks, e.g., larger coverage, low deployment cost, and flexibility. During the URP, first, we will design efficient schemes for QoS routing and resource allocation in HWN. Second, we will implement our schemes (i.e., writing codes) in simulation software, such as MATLAB and network simulator 2 (ns2). Third, we will evaluation the performance of our design using the simulation software. Fourth, we will write research papers based on the design and experiments, and submit them to ACM/IEEE conferences.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CS IST ECE

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Good programming skills - Good programming skills Team working skills High GPA Sound math background

Hours Per Week: 10 or more

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dux@temple.edu

Mobile cloud computing is one of today's hottest new technology markets. In mobile cloud computing, users lease computing/storage services from cloud service providers, and access the cloud from their mobile devices (smart phones, tablets). Gartner (2011) predicts that mobile cloud computing will reach a market value of US$9.5 billion by 2014. Mobile cloud computing shares with cloud computing the notion that some level of service is provided by a cloud but accessed by mobile platforms. Typical mobile cloud computing platforms include smart phones and tablets. The most-used mobile operating systems are UNIX variations such as Google Android and Apple iOS. Tablets are larger than a smart phone but interact with the user in a similar way, using a touch screen as the primary input device. As of October 2011, the top-selling tablets are the Apple iPad and Android tablets made by Samsung, Motorola, and Acer. Companies are being driven to the mobile cloud by demand. Customers are demanding smart phone and tablet applications so they can access key business applications. Employees are demanding access to companies’ computers from their mobile devices. For example, BlackBerry capitalized on this need with its popular cloud-based mobile e-mail program. In June 2011, Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs introduced iCloud, which includes a set of free new cloud services that work seamlessly with applications on a user’s iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store user content in cloud and automatically and wirelessly push it to all of user’s devices. IBM predicts that by 2015, there will be 1 trillion cloud-ready devices. In this project, the undergraduate student will work with Dr. Du and his Ph.D. students on Security and Performance Issues of mobile cloud computing. First we will identify possible attacks on iPhone/iPad security and privacy mobile cloud computing. Second, we will design effective security schemes to defend these attacks. Third, we will implement the security schemes in real smartphones and tablets. Fourth, we will perform real experiments by using the smartphones and tablets to evaluate the effectiveness of the designed security schemes. If the experimental results are good, we will publish research papers based on the work.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CS/IST/Math-CS majors

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Good programming skills - High GPA -Solid math background - Good communication skills - Team working skills

Hours Per Week: 10 or more hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dux@temple.edu

Security is a major concern for today's Internet. Today Internet was not designed with security in mind. Every year, billions of dollars are lost due to security attacks launched over the Internet. In this project, undergraduate students will work with Dr. Du and his Ph.D. students on Internet Security. The topics include (but not limited to):  Malicious Software (Malwares) - worms, virus, Trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, crime ware, and root kits,  Botnet, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet  Intrusion Detection / Prevention

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CS IST ECE

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Good programming skills GPA Sound math background

Hours Per Week: 10 or more

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: noraengel@temple.edu

The Kcnq1 domain is comprised of at least 9 imprinted genes that have different patterns of expression during mouse embryogenesis. To completely understand how these patterns are established and maintained, we need to identify tissue-specific enhancers and silencers. This project has the goal of identifying and validating candidate DNA sequences that fulfill the role of directing tissue-specific expression during development.

Location: Health Sciences Campus

Majors: Biology, Genetics

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Some previous lab experience

Courses: Biology, Genetics

Hours Per Week: 10 to 15 hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: noraengel@temple.edu

Dna methylation and chromatin status of p57, an important cell cycle inhibitor, will be determined during embryonic development in the mouse.

Location: Health Sciences Campus

Majors: Biology, Genetics

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Some previous lab experience

Courses: Biology, Genetics

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: feitelso@temple.edu

This work involves verifying that a gene that appears to be up-regulated in a liver cell line by the hepatitis B encoded oncogene, HBx, is also up-regulated in formalin fixed tissues from hepatitis B infected patients with liver cancer.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: biology

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: enthusiasm, GPA > 3.5, mature, hard working, willingness to learn, background classes in cell and molecular biology - undergraduate lab courses in biology and chemistry with at least a grade of B.

Courses: na

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: fergusto@temple.edu

In man recovery of function after peripheral nerve injury is often incomplete, minimal, or accompanied by pain. For example, brachial plexus injury often leaves injured children or adults with some shoulder function, but little or no hand function. While microsurgical repair/grafting can augment recovery, such interventions are often not optimal, and no other therapeutic options exist for nerve injury. This failure of nerve repair and regeneration in humans has been attributed to the time- and distance-dependent waning of both the neuron’s and Schwann cell’s regenerative response to injury. In this project we aim to improve the regenerative potential of both axons and Schwann cells to foster axon regeneration. To accomplish this aim, the interested student will aid our lab analyzing genetically altered mice after injury and determine if such manipulations may enhance axonal regeneration. The skills learned will include mouse genetics, basic molecular biology, animal models of nerve injury, fluorescent microscopy, among others.

Location: Health Science Campus 6th Floor MERB

Class Year: sophomore, junior

Skills: Basic coursework required includes general chemistry and biology. Cell Structure and Function and genetics are useful but not required.

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: tlfsmith@temple.edu

While the brain is often considered to be "protected" from the body (periphery), in reality, there is continued communication between the CNS and periphery. Under healthy conditions, this can aid the CNS, however, it may have deleterious effects to the CNS in some disease states, as well as aging. We are exploring the role of altered systemic immunity in the promotion of CNS injury in HIV infection. Our previous work suggests that in HIV infection, immune polarization in the peripheral blood and the brain is associated with, and likely contributes to, AIDS progression and cognitive impairment. Our current studies focus on an expanded monocyte subset in HIV infection and explores the mechanisms for the observed expansion, as well as how this subset may contribute to disease progression and CNS decline. We anticipate this work will reveal important insights into immune polarization and disease pathogenesis, as well as help identify targets for potential therapeutic intervention.

Location: TU Health Sciences Campus (MERB)

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore/Junior with a GPA of 3.2 or better.

Skills: Highly motivated, enthusiastic, mature, responsible, and self-motivated; New laboratory skills will be taught in the lab. As such, one should also be able to follow instructions and pay close attention to detail.

Hours Per Week: 15-20

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: gallucci@temple.edu

We aims to discover the component of the signaling pathway downstream of Type I IFN Receptor that is affected by TH2 cytokines and induces a block in the response of dendritic cells to Type I IFNs. These studies include techniques of cellular immunology and molecular biology of signal transduction of cytokines and will investigate processes occurring in immune cells from healthy mice and from mice genetically predisposed to the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Location: Health Science Campus

Majors: biology, pre-med

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Quick Learner

Hours Per Week: quick learner

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dgill@temple.edu

The project will be to study the molecular mechanisms involved in calcium signal generation in mammalian cells. Project focuses on the study of channel proteins and their activation by receptors in smooth muscle and immune cells.

Location: Health Science Campuse - 617 Kresge, HSC

Majors: Biology, Chemistry or Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Some laboratory experience would be adventageous (eg. pipetting, ph measurement, cell culture, etc).

Courses: Introductory biology and/or chemistry courses required.

Hours Per Week: 10 -15 approx. hrs/week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: gonella@temple.edu

Emulsions and micelles are systems of fundamental importance to a wide range of industries including food, pharmaceutical and petroleum. Hyper-Rayleigh and second harmonic scattering techniques will be developed and applied to investigate their formation, structure and stability under conditions with varying parameters such as pH and ionic strength. The undergraduate student will learn about fundamental sciences and experimental techniques in colloidal chemistry and nonlinear optics.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry, Biochemistry or Physics

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Good academic performance and interest in doing the proposed research - Common sense, proactive attitude, seriousness, dedication, good record keeping, some chemistry lab skills.

Courses: General Physics, General Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry: one or more preferred but not required.

Hours Per Week: 9 hours or more

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: habas@temple.edu

My laboratory is focused on understanding the role of the Wnt signaling pathway during early vertebrate development and cancer. We are dissecting the Wnt signaling pathway by analyzing a number of new factors that we have identified. This analysis involves a multidisciplinary approach drawing on techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and embryology. Our primary system is the Xenopus laevis (frog) and mammalian culture cells.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Chemistry and Premed

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Motivated and enthusiastic students with an interest in learning experimental approaches to key questions in the Biomedical Sciences. - Good hands-on skills, attention to detail and a passion for learning.

Courses: 3041. Differential Equations recommended

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: whu@temple.edu

The nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a major mediator for inflammation, immunity, neural plasticity and neurogenesis. It plays key roles in many chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, HIV dementia, etc), autoimmunity, and cancer. We identified a novel protein NIBP that enhances cytokine-induced NFκB activation and neuronal differentiation. It is also a key member of trafficking protein particle (TRAPP) complex II, implying its importance in trans-Golgi transport. New clinical data showed that deletion or mutation of NIBP is closely correlated to mental retardation, autism, hearing loss, and stroke. Our recent study identified a novel role of NFκB signaling in initiating neural stem cell differentiation (Stem Cells 2012; 30(3): 510-24). The goal of this research project is to define the role and mechanisms of NIBP/NFκB signaling in neural stem cells from the brain and the gut. The major techniques involve neural stem cell culture, in vivo cell lineage tracing, RNA interference, gene therapy and conditional gene knockout or knockin mice. The questions to be addressed could be 1) How does NFκB signaling control the self-renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells? 2) What stage of adult neurogenesis is regulated by NIBP? 3) What factors or partners modulate NIBP expression and function in neural stem cells or cancer stem cells?

Location: TU Health Science Campus, Department of Neuroscience, MERB

Majors: Neuroscience, Molecular biology, Genetics

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Motivation, reliability and diligence Quick learning, Self-motivated, Well-organized, Dedicative

Courses: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, 2122 Developmental Biology, 3265 Stem Cell Biology, 4366

Hours Per Week: 10-15 hours/ week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: yanghu@temple.edu

Injuries of central nervous system (CNS) axons often result in permanent loss of vital functions due to retrograde neuronal degeneration and poor axon regeneration. Preventing neuronal cell death and promoting axon regeneration are therefore critical for minimizing the consequences of CNS injuries and achieving functional recovery, which have been long-standing challenges. We recently showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein responses (UPR) play a critical role in neuronal degeneration. We have used an optic nerve (ON) crush model, which leads to massive retrograde death of retinal gangli cells (RGCs), to demonstrate that axon injury induces ER stress and activates the UPR in RGCs. We further demonstrated that manipulating two key downstream molecules of ER stress, by inhibiting CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) or by activating X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1), exerted striking RGC-protection effects. Thus targeting ER stress could have therapeutic neuroprotective potential in CNS injury. In complementary experiments, we have identified a critical role for the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and protein synthesis in RGC axon regeneration. We reasoned that ER stress is another major regulator of protein synthesis through phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), which may contribute to the down-regulation of protein synthesis after axon injury and the failure of axon regeneration. Thus we propose to determine whether combining these two approaches, i.e*., increasing RGC survival with ER stress inhibition and increasing regenerative response with mTOR activation* will have a synergistic effect on overall axon regeneration.*

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: PCR

Courses: Molecular Biology

Hours Per Week: 6 to 10 hours

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mailies@temple.edu

Within this program interested student will investigate the self-assembling of synthetic amphiphiles of various sizes and geometries and the interaction of their supra-molecular complexes with various proteins and cells. We aim to develop new bactericidal compounds, as well as to develop new drug and gene delivery agents.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Chemistry, biochemistry, biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: previous experience in handling bacteria and cells constitutes a plus

Courses: analytical chemistry, elements of synthetic organic chemistry and biochemistry

Hours Per Week: Around 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mailies@temple.edu

A major barrier against efficient in vivo cationic lipid-mediated DNA delivery is constituted by blood, through its components (proteins, various cells, etc). We are interested to investigate the interaction of different cationic lipid-based formulations and their complexes with DNA with blood proteins, under static and dynamic conditions, in order to establish the optimal complex parameters (composition, size, charge, etc) that confer stability in blood while retaining the delivery capacity of the complexes.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Chemistry, biochemistry, biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Seriousness, dedication, interest for science and experimentation - organized, motivated student, good record keeping, must like science and practical experimentation

Courses: analytical chemistry, elements of synthetic organic chemistry and biochemistry

Hours Per Week: 10 to 20 hours per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: sjoshi@temple.edu

Atherosclerosis is a heart disease that involves thickening of the arteries due to deposition of fatty materials such as cholesterol and lipids in the inner arterial wall. A fatty plaque is developed which grows in time, and could eventually rupture and cause serious complications such as a heart attack. The focus of this research is to develop a computational framework to understand the effects of blood flow in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques in arteries. One of the steps towards developing this framework is to numerically solve the three dimensional incompressible Navier Stokes equations that govern blood flow. Students involved in this project will generalize a MATLAB code that solves the Navier Stokes equations in two dimensional rectangular domains to three dimensionsal complex domains.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Mathematics, Bioengineering, CS

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Programming in C and/or Matlab

Courses: M2043-Multivariable Calculus and M3041-Differential Equations

Hours Per Week: 10 to 15

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: adil.khan@temple.edu

The production of antibodies by plasma cells is an important line of defense against infection. Plasma cell dyscrasias refers to a family of plasma cell cancers characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of these cells and hence an overproduction of antibodies which can be detected by serum electrophoresis. From a characteristic electrophoretic pattern, a particular plasma cell dyscrasia can be identified. In this project we will aim to identify the beta-fraction concentration in the serum electrophoresis that correlates with positive with a plasma cell dyscrasia.

Location: Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology/Biochemistry/any biological science

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Interested in medicine, or medical research. Willing to learn medical terms to understand patient histories. Computer literate; data analysis. Willingness to learn (self-motivated).

Courses: Not applicable.

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: lkilpat@temple.edu

A research student position is available to participate in research projects directed at studying mechanisms that regulate inflammation. A particular research focus is neutrophil dysfunction and the development of lung injury. Neutrophils are key components of host defense against infection but can also cause the tissue damage seen in inflammatory diseases such as sepsis and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). My laboratory is investigating regulatory mechanisms involved in 1) neutrophil transendothelial migration, 2) cell survival and apoptosis, and 3) cytokine/chemokines signaling. The student will be trained in cell isolation techniques and culture of primary cells and cell lines. The student will also be responsible for the separation and identification of phosphorylated proteins using gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, and to carry out measurements of different cell function parameters using spectrophotometric and fluorometric techniques.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biochemistry, cell biology, biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Highly motivated, willing to learn and detail oriented - Some chemical or biochemical lab experience

Courses: undefined

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: tue62079@temple.edu

Our laboratory is studying the molecular and cellular mechanism controlling brain development to understand the basis of developmental disorders in CNS including autism, learning disorders, intractable epilepsy and mental retardation. Our research is focused on the function of polarity complex proteins which distribute asymmetrically at the specific site in the polarized cell, in regulation of neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation, neuronal polarity, neuronal migration and synapse formation. Mouse genetics and in vivo manipulation combined with cell biological approaches are utilized to dissect the scaffolding function of polarity complex proteins and its novel and known interacting proteins in the cellular context. The genetic study using conditional allele of Pals1, central component of apical polarity complex, has revealed its essential function in cerebral cortex development. Gene expression profiling studies and genetic interaction experiments with other signaling pathway mutants are underway to define the mechanism underlying function of Pals1 and interacting proteins.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology

Class Year: Junior

Skills: None

Courses: General Biology, Genetics or Cell Biology course

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: ekrynets@temple.edu

Energy metabolism of cancer cells differs from that of healthy cells, and therefore provides a target for chemotherapy intervention. In this project, we use inducible knockdown of energy pathway to test the strategy targeted against the energy supply in cancer cells.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: interest in science and research - lab experience desirable

Courses: Biology; Organic Chemistry

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: ekrynets@temple.edu

Chemotherapeutic agents induce DNA damage and thereby death of cancer cells. In this project, we assess the activity of DNA-modifying proteins involved in the cellular response to chemotherapy

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: interest in science and research - lab experience desirable

Courses: Biology; Organic Chemistry

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: robkulathinal@temple.edu

Males and females of animal and plant species show dramatic differences in the form of sexually dimorphic traits. These differences have been hypothesized to originate under sexual selection: the relative ability of individuals to procure mates (Darwin 1871). Research in my lab explores the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits and genes and, in particular, attempts to understand the overall role of selection. Using the well-characterized model system, Drosophila, we can use its extensively sequenced genomes and transcriptomes to identify genes that are sex-biased in expression. Whether these genes have been the recent target of selective processes can then be determined from population data. As a complement to this approach, we will also develop a high-throughput, quantitative video assay that identifies mutant genotypes with abnormal mating behaviors. Students could work on either the genomics or the behavioral assays, or both, depending on their interests and aptitude.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Computer Science

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior

Skills: Enthusiasm, motivation, focus. - Basic computational skills (e.g., programming, Unix, Matlab, etc.) or a sincere motivation to quickly learn these tools.

Courses: Introductory Biology 1111/2112

Hours Per Week: 10-12 hours a week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: robkulathinal@temple.edu

With sequencing costs down to almost $1000 per genome, a large portion of the total genetic diversity found in many species, including humans, is now freely available. These data harbor a rich history of the evolutionary forces that have acted on a particular species. In this bioinformatics-based project, an undergraduate intern will apply genome-wide scans across genomes from different populations in order to detect signatures of natural selection. The student will then compare the phylogenetic history of its orthologous sequence in a variety of sequenced lineages.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Computer Science

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior

Skills: Enthusiasm, motivation, focus. - Basic computational skills (e.g., programming, Unix, Matlab, etc.) or a sincere motivation to quickly learn these tools.

Courses: Introductory Biology 1111/2112

Hours Per Week: 10-12 hours a week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: latecki@temple.edu

The project will focus on perception of mobile robots. The goal is to program robots to detect and recognize familiar objects in their surroundings. Dr. Latecki recently acquired two state-of-the-art mobile robots: PekeeII from Wany Robotics: a wheeled robot with a Windows XP embedded PC. It is equipped with a pan and tilt stereo camera from PointGrey, laser range scanner and other sensors (sonar, infrared and touch). The camera height is 1 meter, thus it provides a child view of the environment. This robot can be fully programmed in Matlab, making it easy to run high level object detection algorithm. Nao from Aldebaran Robotics: a walking robot with a Linux embedded PC. It is equipped with two cameras, ultrasound, and touch sensors. This robot comes with basic behaviors like walking and turning. It is programmable with Python as well as with a drag and drop programming environment.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Math and CIS

Class Year: Senior

Skills: Good math background, Programming skills

Hours Per Week: 20 hours a week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: rjlevis@temple.edu

The ability to detect molecules at distances up to 50 meters is valuable for many applications including explosives detection, analyzing smoke stacks and probing urban environments. This project will involve working with femtosecond laser filamentation ("a light saber") and a new Raman spectroscopy method developed in the Center for Advanced Photonics Research. Interested students should read the publications on the Center's web site at www.temple.edu/CAPR for additional information.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Neuroscience, Cell and Developmental Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: independent motivation

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: rjlevis@temple.edu

The ability to image the molecules making up tissue will revolutionize the diagnosis of disease states. This project will involve working with femtosecond laser vaporization of biological molecules using the Center for Advanced Photonics Research "Laser Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (LEMS)" system. Interested students should read the publications on the Center's web site at www.temple.edu/CAPR for additional information.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Neuroscience, Cell and Developmental Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Good experimental hands, independent motivation

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: shan.lin@temple.edu

Heterogeneous camera and sensor networks have been developed for surveillance in a number of important areas, such as for airports, borders, and military battle- fields. For an urban area, surveillance is also critical for law enforcement and first responders. In order to provide high quality surveillance in such special situations, existing static wired camera network infrastructure is insufficient. Fast deployable, and mobile camera networks can greatly enhance the quality of surveillance over existing systems. This project will explore wireless network requirements for next generation surveillance systems. Our hypothesis is that WiMax/LTE is a key technology to support such systems, compared with WiFi and other technologies. In this project, we will investigate the following fundamental questions required for the design of next generation surveillance camera networks: (1) how we integrate WiMax technology with heterogeneous camera networks. We aim to produce a prototype system.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CIS

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: GPA - C/C++

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: shan.lin@temple.edu

In an emergency situation like an earthquake or fire, the rapid deployment of wireless communication networks is essential for evacuation and discovery of survivors. As delay increases, a trapped survivor’s chance for survival drops significantly. To assist the efforts of emergency responders, deployable wireless sensor networks and robotic communication solutions have been proposed together. Unfortunately, limitations (including deployment logistics, variable environmental problems, infrastructural dependence, and speed) have hampered their adaptation. There is a need for a new approach to this problem. We will investigate efficient and cooperative network deployment strategies for such systems.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CIS

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: GPA - C/Java

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mamackie@temple.edu

Although we use them every day, most people take for granted that a cell phone solves ten linear equations in ten unknowns every twenty milliseconds, and that processing a conversation involves hundreds of millions of operations per second. The purpose of this project is to understand the linear predictive analysis-synthesis that underlies cell phone transmission of speech.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Math, Physics, Computer Science

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Digital signal processing theory with lab; C++ programming experience; Matlab experience, including experience with signal processing toolbox

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: nosek@temple.edu

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is the most effective treatment for autism spectrum disorders. GAINS, an agent-based software technology solution, will encompass a suite of software products that reengineers ABA training and therapy processes to improve effectiveness and reduce costs. GAINS will be used by program supervisors, trained/certified therapists, paraprofessionals, and parents.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: IS and T; CS

Class Year: Senior

Skills: Strong research and programming skills

Courses: Senior standing in CS or IS and T

Hours Per Week: 10-12 hours

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: palter@temple.edu

Our laboratory has previously shown that Drosophila melanogaster lacking a functional sialic acid pathway display a range of metabolic defects, that are similar to those observed in patients with Type II diabetes. We have demonstrated that one target of sialylation is a potassium channel in the nervous system. We hypothesize that the metabolic defects are a result of excess insulin secretion from insulin producing cells (IPC), due to channel dysfunction. However, we have been unable to detect any RNA encoding the sialic acid pathway enzymes by in situ hybridization in IPC cells in adult brains, and therefore, cannot rule out that the metabolic defects could result from defects in other brain neurons impacting the IPC cells. In order to establish whether the sialic acid pathway is functional in IPC cells, we have generated transgenic flies carrying an ectopic copy of the sialic acid synthase gene (SAS) under the Dilp2 (insulin promoter) that is active only in IPC cells. Fly strains were generated that express this transgene in a SAS 2d/2d (sialic acid synthese null) background and therefore will express the sialic acid synthase only in IPC cells. We wish to examine whether such flies will still exhibit the neuronal phenotypes characteristic of flies deficient in sialic acid (such as neurodegeneration), but will no longer display metabolic defects, establishing that the metabolic defects were due solely to loss of sialic acid in the IPC cells. A variety of both behavioral and biochemical assays will be used to assay for metabolic defects.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: My laboratory has previously shown that Drosophila melanogaster expresses a neuron specific sialyltransferase that is regulated during development. Sialyltransferases add the sugar sialic acid to sugar chains of glycoproteins. Furthermore, we have shown that loss of sialylation in Drosophila, results in behavioral defects, paralysis and neurodegeneration. We have evidence that the target of the sialylation is a potassium channel in the nervous system. There are two N-linked glycosylation sites (N259 and N263) in the Shaker potassium channel that are conserved in most potassium channels, including the Shaker homolog in humans. Mutations that eliminate one or both sites have been shown to slightly alter the kinetics of the channel opening and closing when such channels are expressed in tissue culture cells. However, there have been no studies performed examining the effect of such mutations in living organisms. Constructs have been made that contain either single or double glycosylation mutations in the Shaker channel and these will be introduced into flies using germ line transformation. Transgenic flies will be crossed into a Shaker null background to obtain flies that only express the mutant potassium channels. We are interested if such flies will exhibit similar neurodegenerative phenotypes as we have observed in our sialic acid null flies, demonstrating that the glycosylation of Shaker is required for normal neuronal function.

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Motivation, interest in project and academic accomplishment. Quick learner, careful and good at quantitiative skills.

Courses: Completed Biology 1111 and 2112

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: brad.rothberg@temple.edu

The project involves learning how to grow protein crystals for X-ray diffraction experiments, with the goal of solving the protein's atomic structure. Research in the laboratory is focused on potassium channels, which regulate the flow of potassium across the cell membrane and thus control action potentials in nerve and muscle cells.

Location: Health Science Campus

Majors: Preference for Biology/Biochem/Biophysics or Chemistry majors.

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Strong communication and organizational skills with attention to detail. Most important selection criteria are strong communication skills, a strong interest and enthusiasm for science, and motivation to learn new skills.

Courses: No specific course requirements.

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: grusso@temple.edu

MicroRNAs are a recently identified family of over 1,400 human small non coding RNA molecules of about 18–25 nucleotides negatively regulating protein expression by RNA degradation and/or translational inhibition, thus providing a post-transcriptional control mechanism acting on shorter time scales with respect to gene expression. MicroRNAs control different aspects of biology such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, development, differentiation and metabolism. MicroRNAs contribute to cancer pathogenesis targeting genes important for cancer initiation and/or cancer progression, and might be used to classify cancer and predicting patient outcomes. Different studies demonstrated aberrant expression of several microRNAs in prostate cancer (the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in the Western world), but there is still not enough information regarding the potential of microRNAs as prognostic markers for prostate cancer. Our laboratory is interested to evaluate the role of novel human microRNAs as biomarkers in prostate cancer using different molecular biology techniques.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior and Senior

Skills: None

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: msafak@temple.edu

Research Summary: Our research projects revolve around understanding of the transcriptional and replicational regulation of one of the human polyomavirus, JC virus (JCV). We are particularly interested in investigating the regulatory roles of JCV agnoprotein in viral life cycle. Our recent findings suggest that this protein is involved in JCV virion biogenesis and replication and we have a NIH-funded research program to investigate these aspects of agnoprotein. JCV is a small DNA virus and causes a fatal demylelinating disease of the central nervous system, known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). JCV infects humans during the early childhood without apparent clinical symptoms and remains latent in the body until reactivation. It is generally reactivated in patients with underlying immunosuppressive conditions including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lymphoproliferative diseases and AIDS. In a small number of cases, JCV was also found to affect individuals with no underlying disease. Upon reactivation, JCV undergoes deletions and duplications in its regulatory region and gains ability to infect oligodendrocytes, (the myelin producing cells) in the brain and causes PML. Our lab has extensive experience to train undergraduate, graduate and summer students. As such, it is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in our projects to get lab experience.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology and Chemistry

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: A person who is interested in doing research - Basic Science skills

Hours Per Week: 10-15 hours/week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: nsarkiss@temple.edu

INHIBITION OF GLIOBLASTOMA CELL GROWTH BY p38SJ/DING p38SJ/DING protein isolated from St. John's Wort, is a novel plant phosphatase, related to a phosphate-binding DING protein superfamily. p38SJ, induces cell cycle arrest in human glioblastoma cell lines, suggesting that p38SJ can be developed and used as an anti-cancer agent. Our previous data indicate that p38SJ, exhibits phosphatase activity and, by that, controls cellular proteins which are important for cell cycle and cell proliferation. As a result, cell cycle progression was delayed in p38SJ-expressing cells. Based on our preliminary data we want to investigate whether the treatment of primary glioblastoma tumors with p38SJ will results in a cell cycle arrest, and to determine mechanisms that are affected by p38SJ, and microRNAs that control those mechanisms. Our prelim inary results illustrate the efficacy of p38SJ in suppressing glioblastoma cell growth and control microRNAs that inhibit tumor suppressors in glioblastoma cells, and provide evidence for the potential use of this protein in blocking proliferation of tumor cells. Thus, p38SJ, by virtue of its phosphatase activity, interferes with the operation of several cell signaling pathways involving MAP kinases and microRNAs, affecting tumor cell proliferation. The outcome of our study will determine pathways of p38SJ-mediated tumor growth inhibition and provide a novel biological tool for developing new therapeutic approaches for the treatment and prevention of tumor-associated diseases.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Class Year: Junior, Senior

Skills: Grades and high interest in research

Courses: optional

Hours Per Week: maximum possible time between classes

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mselzer@temple.edu

Dr. Selzer’s research involves studying mechanisms of axon regeneration after spinal cord transection in the sea lamprey, a primitive vertebrate. This animal has a simple nervous system with identified neurons whose axons regenerate with known probabilities. Some are good regenerators and some are bad regenerators. Molecular and pharmacological manipulations are used to determine what makes a neuron a good or bad regenerator. Pharmacological and molecular knock-down experiments are performed to determine how regeneration can be accelerated. Current interests include the role of cytoskeleton in axon regeneration, the role played by local protein synthesis in the axon tip in axon regeneration, and the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in limiting axon regeneration and collateral sprouting. The research on local protein synthesis is being led by Dr. Liqing Jin. The research on the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans is being led by Dr. Kathy Zhang. Drs. Zhang and Jin are collaborating on the work on cytoskelletal proteins. Students can become involved in these experiments, learning techniques such as Genebank data searches and reconstruction of genetic sequences, RNA amplification from micro-aspirated cytoplasm, histology, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Location: Health Science Campus 6th Floor MERB

Majors: Neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, molecular biology - at least one year of biology including some neuroscience.

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Facility with computers, on-line database searching (or we can teach), basic molecular lab techniques (pipeting, etc.). Hisological skills are desirable but not required.

Hours Per Week: At least 6

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: bjsewall@temple.edu

White-nose syndrome is an emerging fungal pathogen affecting hibernating bat populations of eastern North America. Although it only appeared for the first time in 2006, it has already spread rapidly and has had devastating effects, including the death of millions of bats across hundreds of caves and mines. Such losses have important implications for endangered species management, conservation biology, and the ecology of natural communities in North America. Little is known about the disease, but most research to date has focused on bat-to-bat transmission and site-level effects. Recently, however, the disease has spread across a broad geographic area, and an improved understanding of factors influencing both the impacts and spread of the disease is needed. We will investigate factors that may influence the susceptibility of bats to the disease and its spread across large geographic scales.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Coursework, training, or experience in relevant subjects such as statistics, Geographic Information Systems, epidemiology, public health, ecology, or conservation biology. Also strong motivation for research and strong interest in this topic.

Courses: Statistics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or Epidemiology (PBHL 3101) courses (already taken or concurrent with first semester on project) required. Intro Bio series (Bio 1111 and 2112), Principles of Ecology (Bio 2227), and/or Intro to Public Health (PBHL 1101) preferred.

Hours Per Week: 10 to 20

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: bjsewall@temple.edu

Biological diversity is under threat from a variety of local- and global-scale threats, including land use change, climate change, and invasive species. Ecologists and conservation biologists have worked for decades to document patterns of biological diversity and the threats facing biological diversity from the tropics to the poles. Recently, the results of some of these efforts have been compiled into several new spatially-explicit regional and global datasets. We will use these datasets, along with Geographic Information Systems software, to investigate large-scale patterns of biodiversity and change, and to identify spatial priorities for conservation action to protect the Earth's biological diversity.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Environmental Science, or related

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Coursework, training, or experience in relevant subjects such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, statistics, ecology, or conservation biology. Also strong motivation for research and strong interest in this topic.

Courses: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course (already taken or concurrent with first semester on this project) required. Intro Bio series (Bio 1111 and 2112), Principles of Ecology (Bio 2227), and/or statistics preferred.

Hours Per Week: 10 to 20

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: bjsewall@temple.edu

Vertebrate frugivores (fruit-eating mammal and bird species) play an essential ecological role, by facilitating the dispersal and germination of the seeds of a diversity of plant species. Vertebrate frugivory is therefore a key determinant of the reproduction of many plants. Frugivory is especially important in the tropics, where frugivorous primates, birds, and bats disperse seeds for up to 90% of tree species in some forests. The foraging behavior and community ecology of most species of frugivore, however, are poorly understood. This lack of understanding hinders our ability to quantify the impact of specific frugivore species on the plant community or to conserve threatened frugivore species. In addition, frugivores are particularly vulnerable to hunting, fragmentation, and other human-caused threats, but we still have only a rudimentary ability to predict the effects of the loss of a specific frugivore species on the plant community. The objectives of this study, therefore, are (1) to investigate the influence of frugivore feeding preferences and frugivore interspecific interactions on seed dispersal and germination, (2) to examine the ultimate impact of frugivore species on the composition of plant species in natural ecosystems, and the regeneration of plant species in disturbed ecosystems, and (3) to investigate means by which an improved ecological understanding of frugivores can contribute to their conservation.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology, Environmental Science, or related

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Coursework, training, or experience in relevant subjects such as ecology, statistics, Geographic Information Systems, animal behavior, conservation biology, and/or French language. Also strong motivation for research and strong interest in this topic.

Courses: Intro Series in Biology (Bio 1111, 2112) or equivalent required. Principles of Ecology (Bio 2227) strongly preferred. Statistics, Animal Behavior (Bio 3254), and/or Conservation Biology (Bio 3307) preferred.

Hours Per Week: 10 to 20

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: jbs@temple.edu

Maturation of the retina includes movement of the component neurons and glia and the exclusion of vascular elements. We will use time lapse microscopy and immunological approaches to visualize changes in the tissue that are relevant to these processes.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Grades, success in Biology 2112 and/or 3096 - Willingness to learn, comfortable with dissection,

Courses: Biology 2112 and/or 3096

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: george.smith@temple.edu

A major problem associated with many cancer drugs is the development of peripheral neuropathies in patients over time. The mechanism by which these drugs cause development of neuropathies is not known. Studies with mutant mice indicate that these drugs might effect mitochondrial bioenergetics leading to progressive retrograde degeneration of peripheral axons. We are constucting adeno-associated viruses to examine the transportation of mitochondrial proteins and how the aging of these proteins effect mitochondrial transport and localization. The student will use both molecular and cell biological tools to examine mitochondrial transport in the absence or presence of chemotherapeutic drugs. Microfluidics chambers will be used to assay directional transport of mitochondria in axons, and membrane-potential dyes will be used to examine general health of mitochondria.

Location: Health Science Campus 6t floor MERB

Majors: biologyor science related field

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: None

Courses: biochemistry would be nice

Hours Per Week: 15

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: jmsmith1@temple.edu

Radicals and highly excited molecules are the key species in combustion reactions. We carry computational studies using state-of-the-art ab initio quantum chemical computations to predict the stability, reactivity, and dynamics of transient radicals and highly excited molecules. These results will be compared with vibrational spectroscopy of these “hot” radicals, in a particularly novel form of time resolved infrared emission spectroscopy. The ability to characterize these transient species and the information obtained on their energetics, spectroscopic transitions, structure, and energy transfer characteristics are indispensable for advancement in combustion science and technology. Radicals by definition are reactive and short lived so calculations permit an estimation of their properties and relevant rates of reaction. The goal of this project is to observe evidence of these energized species and their properties through detailed examination and correlation of computed quantities with experimental data.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Students who have successfully completed one semester of physical chemistry with good grades. - Linux/UNIX skills desirable but can be learned

Courses: Physical Chemistry course completion is desirable but could be made up for with depth in computer skills including Linux

Hours Per Week: 12

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: soboloff@temple.edu

Increases in cytosolic calcium concentration are a critical and required component of T cell activation during immune responses. A major thrust of research in my lab is to understand mechanisms controlling the expression and function of the proteins that mediate these changes in calcium concentration during T cell activation. Techniques used in my lab include cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, molecular biology, cloning, quantitative PCR, Western blot and many others. Student working in my lab will have the opportunities to learn many of these techniques while working not only with me, but also with graduate students, research technicians and post-doctoral fellows in a highly interactive research environment.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Student must be enthusiastic with a genuine interest in learning research. Prior lab experience would be highly desirable but not required.

Hours Per Week: Variable

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: yson@temple.edu

Assist or underway part of ongoing project which explores a novel mechanism preventing regeneration of sensory nerves using transgenic mice, in vivo imaging, 2 photon and confocal microscopes, cell culture, electron microscope and immunohistochemistry

Location: Health Science Campus 6th Floor MERB

Majors: Neuroscience, Cell Biology

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: no fear/allergy with mice, availability and interests/motivation

Courses: Physiology, Neuroscience, and/or Cell Biology - required

Hours Per Week: 10 hrs or more per week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: dsoprano@temple.edu

The biological active form of Vitamin A is retinoic acid (RA). RA functions to regulate gene expression by binding to and modulating the activity of nuclear transcription factors called retinoic acid receptors (RARs). In order for RARs to regulate transcription accessory proteins bind to RARs. Novel RAR binding proteins have been identified. Studies are directed to understand the mechanism by wich these novel RAR binding proteins modulated transcription of target genes.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: Biology or Biochemistry

Class Year: Junior

Skills: General biology and chemistry lab skills, careful attention to detail, and familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques. Undergraduate GPA and motivation of the student.

Courses: It is expected that the student will have had a course in genetics, molecular biology or cell biology.

Hours Per Week: 10 to 12 hrs

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: rstanley@temple.edu

DNA is constantly damaged by UV light. DNA repair is critical for life and similar repair proteins have been found in all kingdoms, in spite of widely conditions for life (temperature, pH, etc.). We will explore how the DNA repair protein, DNA photolyase, overcomes challenges to DNA repair in extreme environments, using the tools of molecular biology and enzymology.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry, Physics, Biology

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: Persistence and enthusiasm, a some previous hands-on experience in biochemistry and/or molecular biology -basic laboratory wet-lab skills: weighing and measuring; pipetting; KEEPING A COMPLETE LAB NOTEBOOK!

Courses: Genetics Quantitative Analysis I Physics I and II

Hours Per Week: 40400

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: rstanley@temple.edu

DNA is damaged by ultraviolet light. While damage occurs preferentially at adjacent pyrimidines (C,T) the effect of the surrounding bases on the yield of DNA lesions is not understood. We will use capillary electrophoresis to find those sequences that are most likely to be UV-active.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Biology

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior

Skills: Wet chemistry lab skills, keeping a complete lab notebook. - Enthusiasm, attention to detail, a bright and inquiring mind!

Courses: Biochemistry I and/or Cell Structure Function and/or Physical Chemistry

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: cctan@temple.edu

We can use the phone devices, such as camera or audio, to record information. Crowdsourcing aggregates the collected information from multiple users to derive a more accurate picture. For instance, to measure the noise pollution in a building, individual users can use their phones to measure the noise level independetly. This data when aggregated witll give a more complete picture. However, since users are independent, there could be redundent data being collected. The project seeks to develope a system that can reduce the collection of redundant information being collected to save resources.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CIS/IST, Math,

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Familiar with Android programming and/or Web programming

Courses: None

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: cctan@temple.edu

Collecting data from mobile phones (GPS location, WiFi beacons, etc) consumes energy. There lies a fundamental trade off between energy and accuracy. The more data the phone collects, the more accurate the result, but the more energy it consumes. This project will seek to develop a framework to allow users to easily configure this tradeoff using user specified policy requirements.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: CIS/IST, Math,

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Skills: Familiar with Android programming and/or Web programming

Courses: None

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: ltoran@temple.edu

Organize and analyze data collected from stormwater monitoring sites on and off campus. Data collection and monitoring design will be included. Extensive mathematical analysis needed.

Location: Temple main

Majors: Geology or Environmental Science majors only

Skills: Must have B or better grade in Introduction to Hydrology. Do not apply without having completed this course. Extensive experience with excel and other computer skills

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: ann.valentine@temple.edu

The Valentine Lab is interested in hydrolysis-prone metal ions of biological relevance. The student will investigate possible ligand systems for stabilization of titanium(IV) in a water environment, will make and characterize new inorganic coordination compounds, and will evaluate their interactions with biomolecules

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: chemistry biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior

Skills: intelligence enthusiasm conscientiousness - will teach skills necessary

Courses: Not applicable.

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: voelz@temple.edu

A protein’s amino acid sequence uniquely determines its final folded structure and function. But how exactly do different proteins sequences code for particular folding pathways and dynamics? To answer this, we use molecular simulations to study the folding process. This project involves learning how to prepare and run molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to generate dynamical trajectories of every atom in protein, and analyzing the data to build models of the folding reaction. "This could be a good opportunity for students interested in computation/physics and its application to biology/chemistry."

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: From most to least preferred: Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering.

Class Year: Sophomore or Junior

Skills: Students should be motivated, independent, and interested in doing computational scientific research. Good math skills are essential. Computer

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: pei.wang@temple.edu

NARS is an intelligent reasoning system that accepts knowledge and problems in a formal language, and uses some inference rules to derive new knowledge and to solve the problems (see online publications and demo). This system will be applied to various practical situations to test the expressive power of the language and the inferential power of the rules. Also under study will be the possibility of using this logic to reason on structured knowledge sources, such as databases and the Semantic Web.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: computer and information sciences, mathematics

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Strong interest in science, especially in human and machine intelligence; solid background in mathematics and computer science. - knowledge of formal logic, probability theory, and computer programming

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: waring@temple.edu

Most DNA nucleases employed in molecular biology research cut DNA at a specific recognition sequence that is usually 4 to 6 basepairs in length (for example GAATTC on one strand of the DNA). A meganuclease is an enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence that is approximately 20 basepairs in length. The likelihood of this sequence occurring by chance in the human genome is very small. For various reasons there are situations where researchers would like to be able to make a single cut in the DNA of a cell without cleaving any other regions and so we would like to understand how these nucleases cut DNA and how they can be modified so that they will cut novel sequences. We will be creating mutant versions of a meganuclease to understand its mode of catalysis based on the known three dimensional structure. The activity of the enzyme can be monitored in the bacteria E. coli using a phenotypic assay we have developed. If sufficient progress is made, mutant versions of the protein will be purified and tested using biochemical assays.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Biology and Biochemistry Majors

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Interest in independent research - Solid arithmetical skills Ability to keep good lab notebook Reasonable hand dexterity

Courses: 1031 and 1032 General Chemistry 2112 Introduction to Biology preferred

Hours Per Week: 10-12 hours a week

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: holun@temple.edu

Nanoscaled platforms can serve as carriers of anticancer compounds to improve their efficacy and safety. However, these platforms may also induce undesirable toxicity by themselves. OBJECTIVES: To perform background literature search regarding cancer nanomedicines and conduct screening viability/toxicity assays mostly in cancer cell lines. TECHNIQUES INVOLVED: Literature search, basic cell culture maintenance, cell viability assays and/or clonogenic assays. May involve polymeric or lipid nanoparticle preparation.

Location: TU Health Science Campus

Majors: students with biological background

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: work independently, hard working, attention to details, previous research experience preferred. biological knowledge, literature research, attention to detail

Hours Per Week: 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: wwuest@temple.edu

c-di-GMP plays an important role in microbial quorum sensing, unfortunately very little is known about the mode of action. The goal of this project is twofold - (1) to synthesize analogs of the molecule to act as chemical probes for the identification of c-di-GMP targets and (2) construct non-hydrolyzable analogs to lengthen the chemical lifespan in vivo. The student will utilize techniques from organic synthesis and characterize compounds

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry, Biochemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: Grades - Completed Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Courses: CHEM 2201, 2202, 2203, and 2204

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: slwunder@temple.edu

Nanoparticles have high surface/volume ratios so that characterization of the material on the surface is very important in applications such as drug/DNA delivery and nanocomposites. The phase transitions, conformations and adsorption isotherms of lipids and polymers (both natural- proteins, DNA, RNA and synthetic-polymers) on silica nanoparticles of different sizes (from 5-500nm) will be investigated by a variety of analytical techniques such as HPLC, FTIR, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopies, and thermal analysis.

Location: TU Main Campus

Skills: None

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: slwunder@temple.edu

In order to improve the performance of lithium ion batteries and fuel cells, it is critical to make advances in many aspects of the materials used in the electrodes, electrolytes and separators. This project involves preparing and characterizing novel nanomaterials to be employed as separators for NaBH4 fuel cells and lithium ion batteries. In particular we have functionalized what are called polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes (POSS), which are nano silica (SiO1.5) cubes with eight groups at the corners that contain dissociable Li+, OH- ions or polyethylene glycol. The project(s) involve incorporation of these POSS materials with polymers, and the characterization of the nanocomposites by calorimetric and electrochemical methods.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: chemistry, biochemistry

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Willingness to work hard, understanding of experimental techniques and the importance of obtaining reproducible data - wet chemistry techniques

Courses: organic chemistry I, analytical chemistry

Hours Per Week: 12

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: slwunder@temple.edu

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are lipids on solid supports that can be prepared on planar surfaces or nanoparticles. They retain the fluidity of cell membranes and vesicles but have better dimensional stability and a well defined geometry that can be exploited in drug and DNA delivery applications. In this research, the properties of SLBs on nanoparticle silica (SiO2) made from mixtures of zwitterionic and cationic lipids, lipids of different curvature, and lipids containing drugs/DNA will be investigated by techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy and nanocalorimetry.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: chemistry, biochemistry

Class Year: Junior or Senior

Skills: Willingness to work hard, understanding of experimental techniques and the importance of obtaining reproducible data - wet chemistry techniques

Courses: organic chemistry I, analytical chemistry

Hours Per Week: 12

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: xiaoxing@temple.edu

My research focuses on the materials physics underlying the applications of oxide and boride thin films, in particular thin films at the nanoscale. Metal oxides are a class of materials that have a wide variety of novel properties such as superconductivity, ferroelectricity, colossal magneto-resistivity, multiferroicity, etc. Similarly, borides display a variety of interesting magnetic, transport, and structural properties. We study fundamental electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of thin film metal oxides and borides and the effects of structural and interfacial properties on them. Since these properties depend critically on the crystallinity of the materials, fabrication of high quality epitaxial thin films is an important part of my research activities. In my lab, Pulsed Laser Deposition and Laser MBE are used to fabricate oxide thin films and heterostructures. We have developed a Hybrid Physical-Chemical Vapor Deposition (HPCVD) technique to deposit epitaxial magnesium diboride thin films for both basic research and electronics, high-field conductor, and RF cavity applications

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Hours Per Week: TBD

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes

E-mail: mzdilla@temple.edu

We are seeking undergraduates to aid in the synthesis of manganese-nitrogen clusters by self assembly chemistry, and the preparation of macromolecules (peptides/bis-peptides) to serve as molecular scaffolds for the preparation of metalloclusters.

Location: TU Main Campus

Majors: Chemistry

Class Year: Sophomore, Junior or Senior

Skills: GPA, Intent to pursue Graduate education. Skills from General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry laboratory.

Courses: General Chemistry completed, Organic chemistry completed or in progress.

Hours Per Week: 5 to 10

Publication and Conference Potential: Yes