 INBRE Research Projects and Undergraduate ProgramsINBRE Thematic Research ProjectsINBRE Pilot ProjectsINBRE Statewide Undergraduate Programs
INBRE Thematic Research Projects: Wyoming INBRE-2 plans to build upon accomplishments achieved during INBRE-1 to continue developing a comprehensive plan to increase the competitiveness of investigators at the University of Wyoming in national and federal funding. The thematic research areas of Wyoming INBRE-2 are structured around what are perceived as strengths and as having a significant health relevance and in such as way as to make maximum use of existing research expertise. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, including rural areas like Wyoming. Effective management of cardiovascular diseases, especially cardiometabolic diseases, to improve the quality of life and reduce the overwhelming health care costs has become a burning issue for NIH and the American Heart and American Diabetes Associations. Seven research projects led by 7 qualified junior investigators recruited to UW during the BRIN or INBRE-1 phases have been chosen. Four projects will be focused on cardiovascular diseases and three on diabetes and obesity. As diabetes and obesity are also newly classified under the cluster of cardiometabolic diseases, there are substantial interactions among these seven projects especially between the basic science and clinical studies. Three of the projects are community-based research projects. Career development plans and discrete mentorships have been developed for all these projects. Thematic Area 1: Cardiovascular Diseases Thematic Area 2: Diabetes and Obesity Developmental research projects Thematic Area 1: Cardiovascular Diseases Project 1: Fossil fuel particulate matter and cardiac function SUMMARY: Ambient air pollution is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Short-term elevation in ambient particulate matter (PM) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias and ischemic stroke. A positive association has been identified between short-term increases in respirable or fine particles (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) or ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), respectively) and risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure. The ultrafine PM is capable of directly entering systemic circulation through alveolar endothelium without having to go through phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages. These air contaminants may trigger a cascade of detrimental health effects involving cardiovascular and other systems through their pro-inflammatory effects. However, the precise mechanism of action behind long-term PM exposure-induced ischemic heart disease is essentially unknown. Ample evidence has implicated the essential role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a number of environment-related disease conditions including obesity and insulin resistance. ER stress may directly induce compromised insulin signaling and cell survival although little information is available for the contribution from ultrafine PM air pollution. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that ultrafine PM directly triggers ER stress, compromised insulin signaling and impaired cardiac contractile function. We will employ state-of-the-art physiological and molecular biology techniques to evaluate the impact of ultrafine PM on ER stress, insulin signaling, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and myocardial and cardiomyocyte contractile function, with or without intervention of ER stress inhibitors. Our long-term goal is to delineate the role of ER stress in the interplay between ambient particulate matter air pollution and cardiac dysfunction. Completion of this project should provide a therapeutic rationale for ER stress intervention for air pollution-associated heart problems. Project 2: Internet-delivered obesity and cardiometabolic disease prevention: Clinical discovery SUMMARY: Prevention of obesity and its major heart and diabetes related complications is a public health priority; leading a habitually physically active lifestyle is an evidence-based prevention strategy. To date, clinicians, researchers, and the existing health care system are challenged with the development and delivery of effective physical activity (PA) interventions and lasting PA-related behavior change. Novel prevention strategies, specifically clinician referral to an internet-delivered, evidence-based, PA behavior change intervention, may overcome this challenge and illuminate a potentially effective clinician-directed prevention model. Such prevention approaches are clinically significant and novel in their delivery medium, delivery-point, and reach to diverse, underserved, rural, and/or geographically isolated populations. Our long-term objective is to evaluate the physiological and behavior modification efficacy of the evidence-based internet-delivered Active Living Every Day (ALED-I) PA behavior change intervention when ALED-I is implemented by and delivered from a clinical (physician-directed) setting. Our central hypothesis is that ALED-I can be effectively implemented and delivered from a clinical setting and will elicit favorable short- and long-term changes in: 1) PA (steps/day); 2) cardiometabolic disease risk factors; and 3) psychosocial/behavioral variables related to leading a habitually physically active lifestyle. We will employ a community-based research approach to build the multidisciplinary team (clinicians, researchers, administration) which will work cooperatively to develop the infrastructure necessary for implementation of ALED-I through the clinical setting. A randomized control trial design will allow for short- (16-week) and long-term (one-year) objective evaluation of PA, physiological, and psychosocial/behavioral outcome measures in at-risk patients (e.g. overweight, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes) referred to the study by their primary health care provider. The ALED-I intervention appears to be efficacious and is supported by preliminary evidence documenting short-term adoption of a physically active lifestyle, but its long-term efficacy is unknown and ALED-I has never been translated for dissemination from a clinical setting. Completion of this project should elucidate both the long-term efficacy and translational gap issues regarding clinical delivery and therapeutic rationale of a lifestyle-based internet-delivered cardiometabolic disease prevention intervention. Project 3: Targeting ER stress to alleviate insulin resistance SUMMARY: Thematic Area 2: Diabetes and Obesity Project 4: Obesity, AMP-activated protein kinase, and fetal and neonatal skeletal muscle development SUMMARY: Approximately 18-35% of pregnant women in America are clinically obese, a condition which affects fetal development with long-term consequences for offspring health, including pre-disposition to obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The underlying mechanisms are poorly defined. Skeletal muscle (SM) is a key tissue responsive to insulin and it transitions to insulin resistance (IR) preceding the onset of T2D. The fetal stage is crucial for SM development since there is no net increase in the number of SM fibers after birth. Our preliminary studies indicate that maternal obesity (MO) and over-nutrition reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and enhanced adipogenesis in fetal SM at mid-gestation. Additionally, AMPK regulates myogenesis and adipogenesis. The central hypothesis is that MO leads to AMPK inhibition in fetal and neonatal SM, which diverts mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from myogenesis to adipogenesis, impairing SM development. To test our central hypothesis, we will pursue three specific aims: Aim 1. To demonstrate the role of AMPK inhibition in fetal and neonatal SM development due to MO; Aim 2.To examine the link between MO, AMPK, inflammatory responses, and mediators of myogenesis and adipogenesis in fetal and neonatal SM; Aim 3.To assess the effect of MO and AMPK on epigenetic modification of key genes regulating myogenesis and adipogenesis. A well established diet-induced mouse obesity model will be used in proposed studies. Wild type and AMPK knockout mice will be fed either control or obesogenic diets. Skeletal muscle will be obtained from fetal, neonatal and adult offspring to compare SM structure and properties, myogenic/adipogenic and associated signaling pathways, and epigenetic modifications. The overall objective of this proposal is to examine the role of AMPK in fetal and neonatal SM development that occurs in the setting of MO. The proposed work is novel because the effect of AMPK on fetal and neonatal SM development due to MO has not been evaluated. Most methodologies required are already established in our laboratories and the collaborative environment of INBRE projects and cores will dramatically facilitate proposed studies. Data obtained will allow us to seek regular NIH funding to further pursue underlying mechanisms. Knowledge obtained will provide targets for interventions to ensure proper fetal SM development in fetuses of the increasing number of obese pregnant women in this country, allowing them to deliver healthy children. Project 5: Impact of maternal obesity and dietary excess on fetal adiposity and offspring health SUMMARY: Maternal obesity (MO) is a major cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Increased pre-pregnancy maternal weight correlates with increased offspring weight and the potential for persistent and damaging consequences resulting from changes in body composition and developing tissue and organ function a process known as developmental programming (DP). Most animal research on fetal consequences of suboptimal maternal diets has been on outcomes of restricted maternal diets and has been conducted in rodents. A recent NIDDK and NHLBI RFA acknowledged that models of MO are needed. We present preliminary data for a sheep model which has promise in studying combined effects of MO and highly palatable obesogenic diets (HPD) in pregnancy on fetal growth and development and offspring viability. We hypothesize that MO and HPD in sheep: 1) increases fatty acid transport from the maternal to the fetal compartment resulting in increased fetal fat deposition, 2) shifts vascular development away from skeletal muscle towards adipose tissue depots through alterations in angiogenesis and vascular reactivity, 3) increases fetal fat to lean body mass which will result in obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension in offspring in postnatal life. Approach: our three specific aims (SA) address our three hypotheses. SA 1, Experiment 1 will characterize the impacts of MO/HPD on fetal hormone levels and fatty acid profiles in fetal blood and adipose tissue depots. We will also evaluate maternal diet-induced changes in vascularity, fatty acid transport activity and adipocyte characteristics in selected fetal fat depots. SA 2, Experiment 2 will determine the impact of MO/HPD on fetal adipose and skeletal muscle tissue angiogenic factor/receptor activity and relate these data to comparative vascularity. Additionally, contractile/relaxant properties of resistance arteries supplying adipose tissue and skeletal muscle will be compared across MO/HPD and Control fed groups. SA 3, Experiment 3 will compare postnatal characteristics of lambs born to MO/HPD and Control fed ewes, including lamb birth weight and morphometrics, adiposity, growth rate, hormone secretion profiles and insulin resistance to 3 years of age. Further, a pressure transmitter will be chronically implanted into each animal at one year of age and cardiovascular measurements will be made at monthly intervals thereafter. It is also expected that offspring will demonstrate differences based on fetal sex. Developmental research projects Project 6: Diabetes Awareness and Rehabilitation Training (DART) for adults with serious mental illness SUMMARY: Persons with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizphrenia and bipolar disorder die 25 to 30 years earlier than the general population, due, in large part, to cardiovascular disease. The rates of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes, primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease, are also alarmingly high in this group. Diabetes self-management education is the cornerstone of care for people with diabetes. However, people with SMI may not benefit from these programs due to psychiatric and cognitive consequences of their disorder - leaving this group at greater risk for diabetes-related complications, cardiovascular disease, and death. New programs that accommodate deficits experienced by this population are urgently needed. Using an iterative, stage-based approach, we developed a diabetes education and management intervention for people affected by SMI entitled "Diabetes Awareness and Rehabilitation Training (DART)." Results of our pilot has shown that DART has promise for improving metabolic outcomes in older patients with schizophrenia residing in board and care settings. Additional work is needed to determine whether DART is effective in improving metabolic regulation across a broader SMI population and in practical settings where the DART program may be sustained over time. Therefore, the objective of this study is to test the preliminary effectiveness of DART in a broader sample of persons with SMI and to test the program in Community Mental Health settings where patients receive their mental health care. Data will be also used to generated hypotheses about the duration of intervention effects, theoretical mechanisms underlying treatment gains, and for whom this intervention is most effective. We will enroll 70 people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar disorder with either metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. Participants will be randomly assigned to either DART or a time- equivalent Support Control condition. The primary outcomes are body weight and waist circumference. Secondary outcomes will be glucose control (A1C), lipid and blood pressure regulation. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-baseline. Hierarchical linear modeling will be used for hypothesis testing. Project 7: Role of Ghrelin and PYY in postpartum body weight regulation and presence in SUMMARY: Epidemiological studies have suggested that childbearing is an important contributor to the development of obesity in many women, and that breastfeeding may be protective against risk of overweight or obesity in the mom and in the infant. It is possible that ghrelin and polypeptide YY (PYY), two recently discovered gut hormones involved in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis, are altered following child birth and during lactation and are associated with body weight/body fat retention (or loss) during the postpartum period. It is also plausible that ghrelin and PYY are present in human milk where they may also be involved in satiety regulation in the infant. The overall objective of this project is to determine whether the novel neuroendocrine hormones ghrelin and PYY are altered by childbearing and/or lactation and involved in the pathogenesis of maternal obesity. The specific aims are to: 1) determine whether fasting or postprandial ghrelin or PYY differ between postpartum lactating, postpartum non-lactating and matched (for age and body mass index) nonpregnant controls; 2) assess the role of ghrelin and PYY in postpartum body weight regulation; and 3) determine whether breast milk contains PYY and whether ghrelin and PYY concentrations differ in fore compared to hind milk throughout lactation. The study will enroll 15-20 postpartum lactating women, 15-20 postpartum non-lactating women and 15-20 -never pregnant controls at 6-8 weeks postpartum who will undergo measurements of their body weight, body composition and resting metabolism, as well as their ghrelin and PYY responses to a standardized meal. Volunteers' body weight and body composition will be followed for 1 year after delivery. The lactating women will also provide samples of fore and hind milk for analysis of ghrelin and PYY concentrations at baseline (6 to 8 weeks) and also at 6 months and 1 year (which coincide with measurements of body weight and body composition). Measurement of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, glucose and obestatin will also be performed to assist in interpretation of changes in ghrelin and PYY. The study will allow the applicant to branch into new areas of research (feasible at UW) and acquire data for formulating future hypothesis and research proposals on the importance of gut peptides on maternal and child obesity prevention and the possible alterations of these gut peptides with lifestyle intervention, including healthy diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep. INBRE Pilot ProjectsDr. Mark Gomelsky, Department of Molecular Biology
Dr. Paul E. Johnson, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Dr. Daniel Wall, Department of Molecular Biology
Dr. Meijun Zhu, Department of Animal Sciences
Engineering red-light activated nucleotide cyclases Dr. Mark Gomelsky, Department of Molecular Biology Abstract: Engineered photoregulated proteins have the potential to revolutionize biomedical research. In a photoregulated protein, a photon absorbed by a chromophore bound to a photoreceptor protein domain affects activity of an output domain. Recently, remarkable progress has been achieved in engineering of artifical photoreceptors, which have already made a dramatic impact on the field of neurobiology. However, it is clear that we are just at the dawn of the era of photoregulated proteins as tools for biomedical research and therapy. Visible and far-red light is harmless to mammalian cells, therefore, it can work as a highly specific, and cheap way to regulate protein activities. The spatiotemporal resolution that can be achieved by using photoregulated proteins is unprecedented as a laser beam can be focused not only on an individual cell but on a particular region of the cell. Engineered photoregulated proteins can be broadly used for activation (or inactivation) of proteins of interest in cell cultures, tissues and animal models. Thus far only blue-light photoreceptors have been used for protein engineering. Because of the short wavelengths of light they have low tissue penetration, which drastically limits their utility in animal models of disease. Bacteriophytochromes absorb red/far-red light. It has much higher tissue penetration capacity than blue light and is currently used in deep-tissue phototherapies. The objective of this application is to provide the proof of principle that a chromophore-binding module of bacteriophytochromes can be used for engineering of red/ farred light regulated proteins. The goal of this pilot project is to engineer a red-light activated adenylate cyclase (cAMP synthase). The critical role of cAMP in controlling glucose and lipid metabolism as well as neuronal activity makes adenylate cyclase a highly desired target. Photoactivated adenylate cyclase can be used in various model systems to study neuronal plasticity, progression of diabetes and obesity. Some of these diseases are of particular interest to INBRE. The design of photoregulated enzymes relies heavily on computationally-intensive bioinformatics approaches that involve analysis and modeling of protein structures and dynamics. Bioinformatics is identified as one of the focus areas in INBRE. The assembled research team has complementary expertise in structural protein bioinformatics, genetic engineering and protein-ligand photo- and biochemistry required for the success of this pilot, high-risk/ high-return project.
Rapid Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis with Fountain Flow™ Cell Sorting of Bronchoalveolar Lavage fluid followed by Molecular Species Identification
Dr. Paul E. Johnson, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
Abstract: This project will prove the concept for a low-cost, point-of-care system for real-time diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Invasive aspergillosis occurs in 8-15% of allogeneic stem cell transplant patients and 5-15% of solid-organ transplant patients. Mortality of infected transplant patients ranges from 30% to 70% and is nearly 100% if left untreated. Diagnostics are unreliable; too often conventional diagnostics fail to identify fungal infection and a confirmed detection is made only post mortem. This proposal will explore a novel method which has the potential to detect Aspergillus down to the level of a single microorganism in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in minutes and to diagnose the species in 2-4 hours, using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) RNA probes and/or PCR. The objective of this effort is to build and test a proof-of-concept cell-sorting method, Fountain Flow™ Sorting, for the detection of fungi in BAL fluid. A stream of BAL fluid containing an inexpensive fluorescent, fungal dye is illuminated with an LED, and fluorescent fungal cells are detected with a digital camera. After each detection, a fungal cell is sorted into a smaller volume, which can be then stained with more-expensive, immunolabel or FISH probe for Aspergillus confirmation. Rapid PCR or FISH probes can then be used for species identification, allowing for an early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. This research will be performed by a team of scientists from the University of Wyoming, as well as an infectious disease specialist (Cleveland Clinic) and a pediatric oncologist (Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center).
Dr. Daniel Wall, Department of Molecular Biology
Abstract: To address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance there is an important medical need to develop new antibacterials that work by novel mechanisms. This pilot proposal seeks to exploit myxobacteria as prolific producers of natural product antibiotics. Recent genomic and bioinformatic findings have highlighted this point as a stunning ~10 percent of myxobacterial genomes contain secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. However, many of these gene clusters are cryptic and the natures of their metabolites are unknown. Here, we will use molecular genetic and microbiology methods to study secondary metabolite encoding genes and their corresponding metabolites. Additionally, this proposal seeks to tackle a central enigma of antibiotic drug discoverynamely, that natural products are the leading source of antibiotics, yet their development is hindered by low fermentation yields and complex chemical structures that make synthesis and optimization difficult. A goal of this project is to test the feasibility of our hypothesis that the predatory behavior of myxobacteria can be exploited to genetically select optimized producer strains. This approach offers innovations over traditional laborious screens because large numbers of mutagenized cells can be processed to identify rare mutants with improved yields or potencies. A focus of these studies is on the natural product antibiotic TA; a promising hybrid polyketide-peptide antibiotic that inhibits cell wall biosynthesis, has broad-spectrum activity and is safe in animals and humans. Optimization and development of TA has been hampered by difficult synthesis and poor fermentation yields. The aims are designed to improve strain yields and test our hypothesis that predation can be exploited for strain optimization. A long term goal is to construct a commercially viable TA producer strain to allow TA use that exploits its adhesive properties for treatment of periodontal disease and as a prophylactic to coat medical indwelling devices. Optimized TA variants will also be sought for possible use as a systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic. This project builds on the expertise of the PI in myxobacteria biology and antibiotic drug discovery.
Dr. Meijun Zhu, Department of Animal Sciences
ABSTRACT: SIGNIFICANCE: The obesity rate has increased more than two fold in recent decades. According to the latest NHANES survey (1999-2002), 29% of women at childbearing age (20-39 years old) are obese. At the same time, autoimmune diseases including Type I diabetes are also increasing, indicating a likely link between maternal obesity (MO) and altered immune system development. Major components of immune system development are accomplished during the fetal and neonatal stages. Our preliminary data show that MO led to systemic inflammation in fetuses and the expression of toll like receptor (TLR) 4 was elevated. CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS: MO induces systemic inflammation in fetus, which promotes survival of thymocytes specific to host-derived antigens, increasing the incidence of autoimmune diseases including type I diabetes in offspring. SPECIFIC AIMS: 1) MO increases the incidence of type I diabetes in offspring. 2) MO induces an inflammatory response, which promotes dendritic cell maturation, resulting in the evasion of apoptosis for those thymocytes recognizing self antigen via TLR4 signaling. APPROACH: We will use our well-established obese mouse model non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice fed control (Con) or obesogenic (OB) diet to study the effect of MO on the incidences of offspring type I diabetes. NOD mice are the most commonly used animal model for type I diabetes studies and other autoimmune diseases. In addition, we will utilize the unique advantage of mouse studies, TLR4 knockout mice, to study the role of TLR4 in the fetal immune system development. INNOVATION: The proposed work is novel, because this is the first study designed to determine the development of the fetal immune system is affected by MO, which may result in an increased incidence of type I diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. ENVIRONMENT: All methodologies required are already established in our laboratories. The Center for the Study of Fetal Programming provides excellent animal and laboratory facilities. FUTURE PLAN: Based on the data obtained from this study, the PI will further explore mechanisms associated with the fetal immune system development and immune tolerance, and develop specific strategies to cope with autoimmune diseases. IMPACT: The immune system is responsible for the defense against tremendous numbers of bacteria and opportunistic pathogens and its proper development is crucial for lifelong health. Knowledge obtained in this study will provide targets for interventions to ensure the proper development of the immune system, improving the quality of life for the offspring of the increasing number of obese pregnant women in this country.
INBRE Statewide Undergraduate ProgramsOne of the main goals of the Wyoming INBRE Network continues to be to increase educational and research opportunities for Wyoming community college and University of Wyoming undergraduate students to guide them into baccalaureate programs and advanced training in the biomedical sciences and to enhance the biomedical infrastructure within the state. A variety of network linkages have been developed to provide University and community college researchers, faculty and students access to biomedical educational and research resources. INBRE Transition Scholarship Program INBRE UW- Community College Videoconference Seminar Series INBRE Transition Course Program INBRE Freshman/ Sophomore Scholarship Program Summer Undergraduate Bioinformatics Research Institute INBRE Transition Scholarship Program initiated in the spring 2007, provides support for selected community college students to attend the University of Wyoming for 2 years and engage in INBRE supported research activities in addition to their degree coursework. Recipients transfer to UW as juniors and during the first semester rotate through a series of experiences in INBRE supported laboratories. In the second semester, in conjunction with a faculty member, the student selects a laboratory program to work in for the remainder of their baccalaureate program. The student must maintain full-time enrollment and at least a B (3.0) grade point average while being supported. Recipients are selected by community college INBRE collaborating faculty. The first recipient presented preliminary results of his work (Molecular Approaches for Examining the Relationship Between Intestinal Microbial Community Structure and Pediatric Crohn's Disease) at the 2008 Wyoming Undergraduate Research Day. During spring 2008 four scholarships were awarded and the students will begin their university work in the fall 2008. Also beginning in fall 2008 there will be 2 meetings per semester of INBRE administrators, faculty and scholarship recipients to assess academic and research progress, identify and address transition issues, and provide career and academic advising. In the future the goal will be to award four scholarships each year to students transitioning to the university in the fall. INBRE UW- Community College Videoconference Seminar Series presents videoconference seminars by University of Wyoming researchers and campus visitors to community college faculty and students using the UW Outreach Videoconference Network. On average 2 seminars have been presented per academic semester. During INBRE-2 efforts will focus on developing a regular schedule that will be published in the INBRE Newsletter and INBRE website and identifying an incentive system to attract more presenters. A statewide Videoconference Science Journal Club in which all INBRE supported students and faculty participate is also under discussion. INBRE Transition Course Program focuses on developing distance delivered (videoconference and/ or online) undergraduate life science courses that allow community college students to advance towards baccalaureate degrees in biomedical related programs before physically moving to a four-year campus. The goal of INBRE 1 was to develop five courses. To date seven courses are available to students across Wyoming (general microbiology (internet), genetics (videoconference/online hybrid), evolutionary biology (videoconference/online hybrid), principles of biochemistry (online), cell biology (videoconference), microbial ecology (videoconference), and HIV-AIDS: the epidemic and dilemma (videoconference)). INBRE-2 efforts will focus on enhancing existing courses using latest technologies (podcasting, videostreaming, and webconferencing) and developing additional courses including but not limited to biostatistics, biomedical/ research ethics, and informatics/computational biology. INBRE Freshman/ Sophomore Scholarship Program, initiated in spring 2008, provides support for outstanding freshman and sophomore students in the biological and physical sciences or mathematics on the University of Wyoming campus to work on biomedical related research projects. University of Wyoming researchers apply for the scholarship to support freshman or sophomore fellows to conduct an independent research activity directed by a University of Wyoming research mentor. The goal of the program is to provide freshman/sophomore fellows with a meaningful research experience that will encourage them to pursue the baccalaureate degree in a biomedical related undergraduate program. Students receiving fellowships are expected to conduct the proposed independent study project, write a research paper describing the project and results, and present results of their work at Wyoming Undergraduate Research Day. To date 4 scholarships have been awarded. In the future the goal will be to award four scholarships per academic semester. Summer Undergraduate Bioinformatics Research Institute, initiated in 2007, is a summer program for select undergraduate students from the University of Wyoming, Wyoming community colleges, other western INBRE states and select liberal arts colleges. Bringing together top students from across the country provides an intellectually stimulating and challenging environment that increases the impact of the student experience and hopefully aids UW student recruitment into informatics programs. One former participant is currently enrolled in the Molecular Biology Ph.D. program at University of Wyoming. The institute will also foster collaboration and student exchange between Western INBRE state schools. The ten week program includes a symposium with presentations describing bioinformatics research on campus, graduate research opportunities on campus, seminars from the PIs hosting students, ten weeks doing research in a host laboratory focusing on their self-declared research interests, and concluding student presentations on research accomplishments. Students also attend seminars and the Molecular Biology Distinguished Summer Scholar Lectures. In the future greater effort will be made to recruit top UW and Wyoming community college students and promote exchange among Western INBRE state universities. Links have already been established with the program in New Mexico, particularly New Mexico State University and University of New Mexico. Student slots in similar programs in New Mexico will be reserved for University of Wyoming students. Last Updated on 8/24/2009 4:01:35 PM |
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