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About the program

REU logoThe Biotechnology Program and Department of Plant Biology welcome applications for the Synthetic Biology Undergraduate Research Experience. NCSU has a strong core of biologists researching two aspects of synthetic biology: using recombinant plants as "factories" to generate useful products, and developing synthetic model systems for studying fundamental biological mechanisms. During the 10-week summer program, students will actively engage in a research project under the mentorship of a participating faculty member. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Who should apply?

The program is open to all rising sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in molecular biology. Applicants will be evaluated based on their statement of interest, transcript, and letters of recommendation. We particularly encourage students from institutions other than NCSU to apply, though there will be a few slots available for NCSU students. Students from underrepresented groups are also especially encouraged to apply.

This program is only open to US citizens and permanent residents.

Dates

This is a summer program that will run May 30 - Aug. 7, 2010.

Program activities

REU participants

Participants in the NCSU 2009 REU.

The program kicks off with a three-day “Biotechnology Bootcamp”, where participants will learn critical molecular biology laboratory skills. Participants will pursue independent research projects for the remainder of the summer under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will also have multiple public-speaking opportunities to present their research, including a poster presentation at the campus-wide undergraduate research symposium at the end of the program.

Sample projects

Mentor and link

Research focus for undergraduate projects

Dr. José Alonso

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Molecular genetics of plant hormone interactions in the model plant Arabodopsis thaliana and development of new functional genomics tools

Dr. Wendy Boss

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Redesigning crop plants to withstand drought and heat stress by using genes from extremophiles

Dr. Vincent Chiang

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Altering expression of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in woody plants for biofuel production

Dr. Amy Grunden

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Identifying beneficial uses of genes from novel microorganisms and characterizing the proteins for use in biodecontamination and for generating transgenic plants for crop improvement and biofuel production

Dr. Linda Hanley-Bowdoin

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Engineering of virus-resistant plants through understanding gemini virus-host interactions

Dr. Bob Kelly

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A functional genomics approach to identifying genes from hyperthermophilic microorganisms to be used to improve food production and processing

Dr. Gary Payne

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Identification of target genes involved in the metabolism of aflatoxin in the economically important filamentous fungus A. flavus

Dr. Imara Perera

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A synthetic biology approach to dampening inositol phosphate signaling and producing stress tolerant plants

Dr. Niki Robertson

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Using geminivirus-induced gene silencing to study host gene functions.

Dr. Marcela Rojas-Pierce

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Identifying small chemical inhibitors of vesicle trafficking

Dr. Heike Winter Sederoff

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Generating crop plants with enhanced nutraceutical value and stress tolerance; systems biology approaches to modeling metabolic networks

Dr. Deyu Xie

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Metabolic engineering of proanthocyanidins and metabolic profiling of resulting new plant products
Greenhouse

Katelyn Henderson and Caroline Smith are shown with the first generation of transgenic tomatoes expressing the gene encoding superoxide reductase (SOR) from the extremophilic microorganism Pyrococcus furiosus. SOR reduces toxic free radicals and when expressed in Arabidopsis results in plants with increased, heat, light and drought tolerance. The Arabidopsis project was a collaborative effort by Dr. Amy Grunden and Wendy Boss' laboratory. It has involved many undergraduates, graduates and Dr. Yang Ju Im, a postdoc who led the work. The work was funded by NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts.

Financial support

Stipends, room, board, and travel expenses are provided.

  • Stipend: $4,000 for the 10-week session
  • Room and board: Dorm-style accommodations adjacent to campus
  • Travel expenses: Round-trip air travel will be provided to participants who do not live within driving distance of the program

Applications

Applications and recommendation letters are due by February 20, 2009 to be guaranteed consideration. Late applications may be considered if spots do not fill. Click the appropriate link in the sidebar on the left to download an application and recommendation form.

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