Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Application Of Genome-based Approaches

 

Fundamental Microbiology - origin of life, environmental limits of life, evolution and diversification of metabolism, roles in biosphere, basic cellular processes, development of cell-cell communication and multi-cellular structures, morphogenesis, quorum sensing, development of epidemics, molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity, host-pathogen interaction, ecology, and geomicrobiology.

Applied Microbiology - production of fuels and bulk and fine chemicals, bioremediation, development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, detection and prevention of microbial contamination in the food supply.

Features

• A student-led independent research project in one of the participating laboratories
• Weekly seminars given by faculty members and external speakers
• Informal discussion sessions
• Career sessions on gaining admission to a Ph.D. program and pursuing graduate studies productively
• Training in cutting edge genomic technologies through lectures and a visit to the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute Core Laboratories
• Visits to companies and laboratories that utilize or study microbiological processes
• Presentation of poster and seminar at a campus-wide end of summer research (see the calendar for details)

Training in program management: The trainees will help to manage the program through participation on committees.

The program provides

• A stipend of $5000
• Travel to and from the site
• Room and board

"REU Site: Microbiology in the Post Genome Era" 2013 promotional flier

Check us out on Facebook