Hands-on Undergraduate Research: Improving Photosynthesis and Plant Productivity through Genetic Engineering

Students will conduct hands-on laboratory research in the field of photosynthesis and plant molecular biology, working with genetically modified plants (Nicotiana tabacum, a well-established model plant system) that contain genetically engineered photosynthesis genes (transgenes). Students will experimentally test the hypothesis that the modified transgenes will make photosynthesis more efficient, with applications for agriculture, biofuels and climate change. These plants are already prepared, propagated, and available in my laboratory. Students will test the hypothesis by researching the activity and function of the transgenes at multiple levels of gene activity using different experimental approaches (depending on individual interest), with potential experimental projects including one or more of the following: measurements of overall photosynthetic activity, analysis of mRNA, and determination of final production and function of proteins produced from the introduced transgenes. Opportunities for bioinformatic analysis will also be available for students interested in Systems Biology. By participating and contributing to the multi-level analytical approach, students will gain a broad and inclusive perspective into Biological Sciences in general, and photosynthesis research in particular. It is expected that students will develop skills that will contribute to the design, execution, and interpretation of new data from their projects. Students will present their research progress during regular lab meetings, prepare a final written summary and abstract of their research, and will give a final presentation, with discussion at the completion of their project.

Students will learn to organize and present their in-progress and completed research projects, by preparing in-progress summaries, with a final written report and abstract of their research. Students will give a final oral presentation, with a question-and-answer session, at the completion of their project. 

• Outcome 1: Students will learn laboratory organization, protocols, lab safety, and open scientific discussion/communication.
• Outcome 2: Students will learn to design, execute, and interpret original data from their projects. More specifically, they will learn to organize their experiments, write out step-by-step protocols, organize their lab workspace, timing of experiments, clean-up, and follow-up discussions. They will learn that it is important to “ask for help” if any issues or questions come up during the experiment.
• Outcome 3: Students will learn to conduct hands-on experiments for their research projects, initially under supervision/training, with the goal of learning to work independently as they become more experienced with their lab techniques and protocols.
• Outcome 4: Very importantly, students will be taught all aspects of open communication within and outside of the lab. They learn how to discuss their research with other lab members, as well as other Bio students. We also work on communication skills with non-scientist outside of lab.

• Reading articles or books
• Watching relevant videos
• Attending workshops and trainings
  • Mandatory Lab Safety Training

photosynthesis, genetic engineering, molecular biology, plant productivity, bioinformatics, experimentation, gene expression, data collection, data analysis