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Steve Potter. Biomedical Engineering.
Phone: 404 385-2989
Email: steve.potter@bme.gatech.edu
Institution: Georgia Tech-Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: See http://neuro.gatech.edu for ideas about projects in our lab.
Student Requirements: Depends on project. All backgrounds considered.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) See http://neuro.gatech.edu/groups/potter/publications.html
Techniques used in this lab: Depends on project, but may include optical microscopy, multi-electrode electrophysiology, cell culture, computer programming, mechanical design, and others.
Additional Comments: http://neuro.gatech.edu/groups/potter/people.html
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Heather Kimmel. Yerkes.
Phone: 404-727-8581
Email: Heather.Kimmel@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Students will use behavioral, neurochemical, and imaging techniques to investigate the mechanism of drugs of abuse in nonhuman primates. Our research goals are two-fold: one is to determine how cocaine exerts its effects and the second is to develop effective medications for treating cocaine abusers.
Student Requirements: Basic biology, chemistry, and psychology courses would be essential. Coursework in psychopharmacology, experimental psychology, and biochemistry would also be extremely helpful. Prior experience in working in a laboratory is not required, but would be helpful.
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Howell LL, Carroll FI, Goodman MM, Votaw JR, Kimmel HL (2007) Effects of combined dopamine and serotonin transporter inhibitors on cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 320(2): 757-765
(2) Howell LL, Wilcox KM, Lindsey KP, and Kimmel HL. (2006) Olanzapine-induced suppression of cocaine self-administration in rhesus monkeys. Neuropsychopharmacology 31:585-593.
(3) Kimmel HL, Ginsburg BC, Howell LL. Changes in extracellular dopamine during cocaine self-administration in squirrel monkeys.
Synapse. 2005 Jun 1;56(3):129-34.
(4) Ginsburg BC, Kimmel HL, Carroll FI, Goodman MM, Howell LL. Interaction of cocaine and dopamine transporter inhibitors on behavior and neurochemistry in monkeys. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2005 Mar;80(3):481-91
(5) Kimmel HL, OConnor JA, Carroll FI, and Howell LL (2007) Pharmacokinetic considerations of the pharmacokinetic and reinforcing effects of cocaine analogs in squirrel monkeys. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 86(1): 45-54. (DOI:10.1016/j.pbb.2006.12.006)
Techniques used in this lab: Students will learn operant conditioning techniques, such as drug self-administration, which allows us to determine how drugs and environmental changes alter established behaviors. They will also learn in vivo microdialysis, a technique for sampling neurochemicals in a small region of the brain. Neuroimaging techniques (PET and MRI) are also used to determine how drugs reach the brain and how those drugs interact with proteins of interest.
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James Lah. Neurology.
Phone: 404-727-3727
Email: jlah@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: Mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease
Student Requirements:
Techniques used in this lab:
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Krish Sathian. Neurology.
Phone: 7-3818
Email: krish.sathian@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: In my laboratory, we are interested in studying cognitive neuroscience, with special reference to perception. Our approach is a combination of psychophysics, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and, in some instances, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We are particularly interested in the cross-modal role of visual cortex in touch. A typical student project would be to develop and test a task, and then carry out a brain scanning study addressing a specific issue. The student would work in conjunction with other personnel in the lab, and the student project would be a part of a larger, ongoing project. Depending on the student's availability and interest, there may be opportunities to continue a summer project over the academic year. Students will be involved in making presentations of the work and in publications.
Additional Project Information: Cognitive neuroscience is a field at the intersection of neuroscience and pyschology, and our research has potential applicability to neurologic rehabilitation. We are open to other projects that take advantage of our expertise to address issues that may not currently be the focus of our investigation, and to collaboration with other experts as may be necessary to mentor a given student project.
Student Requirements: Background in psychology or neuroscience is required. Our ideal student candidate is one who expresses interest during the early years of college (e.g. rising sophomore) and is interested in maintaining research activity over the subsequent years of college, but we are willing to consider other interested candidates.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) A. Zangaladze, C.M. Epstein, S.T. Grafton & K. Sathian. Involvement of visual cortex in tactile discrimination of orientation. Nature, 401: 587-590, 1999.
(2) AA.C. Grant, M. C.Thiagarajah & K. Sathian. Tactile perception in blind Braille readers: A psychophysical study of acuity and hyperacuity using gratings and dot patterns. Perception & Psychophysics, 62: 301-312, 2000.
(3) S.C. Prather, J.R. Votaw & K. Sathian. Task-specific recruitment of dorsal and ventral visual areas during tactile perception. Neuropsychologia, 42: 1079-1087, 2004.
(4) M. Zhang, V.D. Weisser, R. Stilla, S. C. Prather & K. Sathian. Multisensory cortical processing of object shape and its relation to mental imagery. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 4: 251-259, 2004.
(5) S. Peltier, R. Stilla, E. Mariola, S. LaConte, X. Hu & K. Sathian. Activity and effective connectivity of parietal and occipital cortical regions during haptic shape perception. Neuropsychologia, 45: 476-483, 2007.
Techniques used in this lab: Screening of human subjects.
Psychophysical (behavioral) testing.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI brain scanning).
Statistical analysis.
Additional Comments: go to http://neurology.emory.edu/
->Faculty, scroll down to my name and click
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Arthur English. Cell Biology.
Phone: 404-727-6250
Email: art@cellbio.emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: After peripheral nerve injury, axons are capable of regeneration but restoration of function is universally poor. This is often blamed on a progressive loss of the ability of cells in the distal stumps of injured nerves to promote regeneration. We have discovered that electrical stimulation or exercise will stimulate the growth of regenerating axons in peripheral nerves in a manner that does not depend on cells in their environment. Using transgenic mice we will investigate whether these methods can be used to promote axon regeneration when the repair of the damaged nerve is delayed.
Additional Project Information: Electrical stimulation and treadmill exercise has been shown to increase the growth of regenerating axons. It is speculated that these methods exert their effects by enhancing activity in spinal neural networks. Using electrophysiological recordings from intact rats, we will study the magnitude of simple spinal reflexes after electrical stimulation or/and treadmill exercise.
Student Requirements: The most successful students are those who are rising seniors. Younger students who are rising juniors who are especailly highly motivated also work well. Background in biology and chamistry is a must.
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Groves, ML., McKeon, R., Werner, E., Nagarsheth, M., Meador, W., English, A.W., Axon regeneration in peripheral nerves is enhanced by proteoglycan degradation. Exp. Neurol. 195: 278-292, 2005.
(2) English, A.W., Meador, W., Carrasco, D.I., Neurotrophin 4/5 is required for the early growth of regenerating axons in peripheral nerves. Eur J Neurosci, 21: 26242634, 2005.
(3) English, A.W., Enhancing axon regeneration in peripheral nerves also increases functionally inappropriate reinnervation of targets. J. Comp. Neurol. 490: 427-441, 2005.
(4) English, A.W., Schwartz, G., Meador, W., Sabatier, M.J., and Amanda Mulligan Electrical stimulation promotes peripheral axon regeneration by enhanced neuronal neurotrophin signaling. J. Neurobiol. In Press, 2007.
(5) Pol-Rodriguez, M.M., Schwartz, G. and English, Arthur W. Post-Translational Phosphorylation of the Slow/b Myosin Heavy Chain Isoform in Adult Rabbit Masseter Muscle. J. Mus. Res. Cell Motil. 22: 513-519, 2002.
Techniques used in this lab: survival surgery, confocal microscopy, electromyography
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Hui Mao. Radiology.
Phone: (404) 712-0357
Email: hmao@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Developing and characterization of novel MRI contrast agents for target specific cancer imaging in vivo and for other diagnostic imaging applications.
Additional Project Information: Metabolite profiling of biological samples, e.g, tissue, cells, using high resolution solid state NMR.
Student Requirements:
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab: magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, medical image process and analysis
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Jeff Boatright. Ophthalmology.
Phone: 404 778-4113
Email: jboatri@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: Dr. Boatright is a graduate of Brown University (Sc.B. in Neural Sciences and Experimental Psychology) and Emory University (Ph.D. in Pharmacology and the Neurosciences Training Program). He joined the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology in 1999, conducting research on the regulation of retinal gene expression funded by an independent R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute (NIH NEI). This research expanded into using endogenous DNA repair mechanisms treat genetic mutations that lead to blindness, work also funded by an independent NEI R01. In a separate project, Dr. Boatright uses in vivo pharmacological approaches to explore the effects of atypical, endogenous compounds on animal models of retinal degeneration and glaucoma. This work is funded by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH NCCAM), and a Merit Award from the Veterans Administration.
Additional Project Information: Dr. Boatright is founding and current Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Vision, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the dissemination of research results in molecular biology, cell biology, and the genetics of the visual system. The journal is rated second in a field of 14 competing journals and is routinely used as an Open Access exemplar by the National Library of Medicine and The National Institutes of Health Library. The journal is supported by Knights Templar and through initiatives generated in the Department of Ophthalmology.
Student Requirements: We can start from scratch.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab:
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Douglas Falls. Cell Biology.
Phone: 404-727-0520
Email: dfalls@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: Neurogenesis (more later)
Additional Project Information: Synaptogenisis (more later)
Student Requirements: any level (more later)
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Falls DL (2003) Neuregulins: functions, forms, and signaling strategies. Exp Cell Res 284:14-30.
(2) Falls DL (2003) Neuregulins and the neuromuscular system: 10 years of answers and questions. J Neurocytol 32:619-647.
(3) Coskun V, Falls DL, Lane R, Czirok A, Luskin MB (in preparation 2005) Subventricular zone neuronal progenitors undergo multiple divisions and retract their processes prior to each cytokinesis.
(4) Bonsall JM, Falls DL, Luskin MB (in preparation) Extracellular matrix and/or cell surface associated molecules restrict neuronal progenitors to the rostral migratory stream.
Techniques used in this lab:
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Claire-Anne Gutekunst. Neurosurgery.
Phone: 404-727-1812
Email: cguteku@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Studies of stigmoid bodies, cytoplasmic neuronal structures of unknown function.
Student Requirements: some knowlegde of biology
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab:
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iain Shepherd. Biology.
Phone: 404-727-2632
Email: ishephe@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: Investigating the in vivo function of zebrafish orthologues of known Hirschsprung disease causing genes.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest most complicated subdivision of the peripheral nervous system and is completely derived from neural crest stem cells (NCSC). My lab is interested in determining what genes are involved in the specification of the NCSC that form the ENS. We are also interested in determining what molecules are involved patterning the migration of NCSC in the intestine and if these same molecules are involved in patterning the axonal projections of the differentiated ENS neurons in the intestine. These studies are of clinical importance due to pediatric conditions that perturb the normal development of the ENS such as Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR).
Taking advantage of the zebrafish model system we are investigating how known HSCR linked genes, such as Sip1, cause their ENS phenotypes. We have previously shown that the neurotrophic factor GDNF and its receptor complex are absolutely required for normal ENS development in zebrafish as in mouse and human. Using similar techniques we are investigating the function of other known HSCR genes in zebrafish ENS development. These studies are investigating the many unanswered questions as how these known HSCR genes actually cause their ENS phenotypes when mutated.
A student undertaking this type of project would typically carry out a detailed expression analysis of a HSCR associated gene by RT-PCR and wholemount in situ hybridization. This part of the project would involve a significant amount of microscope work. A student would also be involved in perturbing the gene's function in vivo by microinjection of different molecular reagents.
Additional Project Information: Identification and characterization of different zebrafish enteric nervous system (ENS) neuronal subtypes.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest most complicated subdivision of the peripheral nervous system and is completely derived from neural crest stem cells (NCSC). My lab is interested in determining what genes are involved in the specification of the NCSC that form the ENS. We are also interested in determining what molecules are involved patterning the migration of NCSC in the intestine and if these same molecules are involved in patterning the axonal projections of the differentiated ENS neurons in the intestine. These studies are of clinical importance due to pediatric conditions that perturb the normal development of the ENS such as Hirschsprung Disease (HSCR).
To aid in the analysis of zebrafish ENS mutant we are interested in identifying different ENS neuronal subtypes. A summer student on this project would screen antibodies to identify ones that recognize subsets of zebrafish ENS neurons. After identifying zebrafish cross-reacting antibodies a student would undertake a detail characterization of the spatial and temporal expression pattern of these markers in the developing ENS. The project will involve significant amounts of microscope work.
Student Requirements: Studenst should be Juniors or Seniors. Students need to have completed a genetics course. Preference will be given to those that have taken a Developmental BIology course.
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Jacy Pietsch, Brett Jakaitis, Derek Stensby, Sarah Dohle, William Talbot, David W. Raible, and Iain T. Shepherd
(2) Shepherd, I. T., Pietsch, J., Elworthy, S., Kelsh, R. N. and Raible, D. W. (2004). Roles for GFR{alpha}1 receptors in zebrafish enteric nervous system development. Development 131, 241-249.
(3) Shepherd, I. T., Beattie, C. E. and Raible, D. W. (2001). Functional analysis of zebrafish GDNF. Dev Biol 231, 420-35.
(4) Elworthy, S., Pinto, J. P., Pettifer, A., Cancela, M. L. and Kelsh, R. N. (2005). Phox2b function in the enteric nervous system is conserved in zebrafish and is sox10-dependent. Mech Dev 122, 659-69
(5) Amiel, J. and Lyonnet, S. (2001). Hirschsprung disease, associated syndromes, and genetics: a review. J Med Genet 38, 729-39.
Techniques used in this lab:
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Donna Maney. NBB/Psychology.
Phone: office: 7-7470
Email: dmaney@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Study #1: We are interested in the neurogenomics of social behavior, and are currently working with a model in which variation in aggression and parenting behavior segregates with a structural rearrangement of chromosome 2. In collaboration with researchers in Human Genetics, we are in the process of mapping this rearrangement and identifying candidate genes we believe contribute toward aggression and parenting. This project involves quantitative real-time PCR, laser capture microdissection, and in situ hybridization to quantify expression of candidate genes.
Additional Project Information: Study #2: We are interested behavioral neuroendocrinology, particularly how hormones mediate plasticity in the brain. One of the best ways to study brain plasticity is to look at seasonal animals, such as hamsters or songbirds, which change their behavior and brain morphology dramatically according to season and hormone levels. In the spring, when estrogen levels are high, females respond to male courtship cues by initiating courtship--but when estrogen levels are low in the fall, they don't. We are interested in how estrogen acts in the brain to cause such a big change in behavior. We are working with female songbirds that are treated with either estrogen or placebo and quantifying their behavioral and neuronal responses to auditory cues.
Student Requirements: If doing a wet lab project, completion of a chemistry lab is required (knowledge of pH, molarity, experience with balances and glasswashing). If doing image analysis only, then experience with programs such as Excel and Photoshop is helpful but not required.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Lake, J. I., Lange, H. S., OBrien, S., Sanford, S. E., and Maney, D. L. (2008). Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis differs between behavioral phenotypes in female white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis). General and Comparative Endocrinology, in press.
(2) Maney, D. L., Goode, C. T., Lake, J. I., Lange, H. L., and OBrien, S. (2007). Rapid neuroendocrine responses to auditory courtship signals. Endocrinology 148: 5614-5623.
(3) LeBlanc, M. M., Goode, C. T., MacDougall-Shackleton, E. A., and Maney, D. L. (2007). Estradiol modulates brainstem catecholaminergic cell groups and projections to the auditory forebrain in a female songbird. Brain Research 1171: 93-103.
(4) Maney, D. L., Cho, E., and Goode, C. T. (2006). Estrogen dependent selectivity of genomic responses to birdsong. European Journal of Neuroscience 23:1523-1529.
(5) Maney, D. L., Erwin, K. L., and Goode, C. T. (2005). Neuroendocrine correlates of behavioral polymorphism in white-throated sparrows. Hormones & Behavior 48:196-206.
Techniques used in this lab: Immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, autoradiography, real-time PCR, image analysis, behavioral quantification.
Additional Comments: Please note that the deadline for a summer research internship has passed for 2009. I am interested in hearing from 2009-2010 applicants to the SIRE program, or from students interested in pursuing research for credit (Psychology, Biology, or NBB 499) during Spring 2009.
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Subhabrata Sanyal. Cell Biology.
Phone: 404-727-3758
Email: ssanya2@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Summer
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: The fundamental goal of the laboratory is to understand molecular and cellular changes that underlie learning and memory. We use the fruit fly, Drosophila as a model system to investigate signaling networks that operate in neurons during long-term neural plasticity. Essentially, long-term changes require synthesis of new proteins either through translation of pre-existing mRNA at synaptic sites or through activation of transcription. We have established that conserved signaling cascades such as those mediated by cAMP, PKA and MAPK operate in our model system to cause long-term change. These signaling cascades finally impinge on transcription factors, such as AP1 and CREB to drive expression of plasticity genes . Among several broad questions in the field that interest us are studying signaling cross-talk during plasticity and the identification and functional validation of target genes. A unifying aim is to ascertain how these genes regulate learning and memory in intact organisms, thus uncovering conserved principles of learning across species.
The project involves a screen to isolate targets of AP1 activation in neurons using a powerful forward genetic approach. We will utilize the fact that expression of a dominant negative Fos transgene in the eye causes rough and reduced adult eyes. That this phenotype is due to perturbation of endogenous AP1 activity is shown by rescuing this phenotype by co-expressing wild type AP1. We plan to use this background in a classical modifier screen by assaying a collection of mutant lines in this background. A downstream effector or an upstream activator can potentially alter the eye phenotype observed in Fbz animals. This is a powerful yet easy screen and transposon tagging makes gene identification simple and fast. Finally, since there is an observable AP1 phenotype at the neuromuscular synapse, future target validation will be straightforward.
Student Requirements: Juniors and Seniors only, course in genetics favored.
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Sanyal S, Sandstrom DJ, Hoeffer CA, Ramaswami M.
AP-1 functions upstream of CREB to control synaptic plasticity in Drosophila.
Nature. 2002 Apr 25;416(6883):870-4.
(2) Hoeffer CA, Sanyal S, Ramaswami M.
Acute induction of conserved synaptic signaling pathways in Drosophila
melanogaster.
J Neurosci. 2003 Jul 16;23(15):6362-72. Erratum in: J Neurosci. 2003 Aug
27;23(21):7966.
(3) Sanyal S, Narayanan R, Consoulas C, Ramaswami M.
Evidence for cell autonomous AP1 function in regulation of Drosophila
motor-neuron plasticity.
BMC Neurosci. 2003 Sep 11;4:20.
(4) Sanyal S, Consoulas C, Kuromi H, Basole A, Mukai L, Kidokoro Y, Krishnan KS,
Ramaswami M.
Analysis of conditional paralytic mutants in Drosophila sarco-endoplasmic
reticulum calcium ATPase reveals novel mechanisms for regulating membrane
excitability.
Genetics. 2005 Feb;169(2):737-50. Epub 2004 Nov 1.
Techniques used in this lab: Fly genetics, molecular biology (cloning, RNA in situ etc.), immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging
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Hillary Rodman. Psychology.
Phone: 404-727-2391
Email: hrrodma@emory.edu
Institution: Emory University
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Study differences in brain organization in different kinds of animals. Help figure out whether the brains of animals like squirrels and hamsters are really similar or different to those of primates (monkeys and humans). Emphasis is on the parts of the brain that allow us to recognize things and that use light in the environment to control the sleep-wake cycle.
Additional Project Information: * Study reorganization of the visual system after early brain injury (anatomical studies in monkeys).
* Study individual differences in responsiveness to the environment at different times of day (behavioral work with rodents or survey research with humans).
* Study sex differences in parts of the brain that subserve vision, and relate to possible differences in the ways that males and females see.
Student Requirements:
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Rodman, H.R., Hodson, E., and Dieguez, D., Jr. Compartmentalization and chemical specificity in the geniculo-cortical system of a highly visual rodent. Submitted for publication.
(2) Major, D.E., Rodman, H.R., Libedinsky, C., and Karten, H.J. (2003) Pattern of retinal projections in the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi): anterograde tracing study using cholera toxin. Journal of Comparative Neurology 463: 317-340.
(3) Rodman, H.R., Sorenson, K.M., Shim, A.J., and Hexter, D.P. (2001) Calbindin immunoreactivity in the geniculo-extrastriate system of the macaque: implications for heterogeneity in the koniocellular pathway and recovery from cortical damage. Journal of Comparative Neurology 431: 168-181.
(4) Moore, T.M., Rodman, H.R., Repp, A.B., and Gross, C.G. (2001) Direction of motion discrimination after early lesions of striate cortex (V1) of the macaque monkey. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 98: 325-330.
(5) Sorenson, K.M., Moscato, M., Hope, K., and Rodman, H.R. (2001) Visual cortical inputs to area MT in infant monkeys. Neurosci. Abs. 27, Program No. 620.5.
Techniques used in this lab: Methods for most projects in our lab include analysis and preparation of brain tissue from normal animals and/or subjects with damage of the visual system. Immunohistochemistry, photomicroscopy, handling and observation of rodents, and/or psychological testing of humans, depending on selection of project(s) and student interest.
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Katherine Boss-Williams. Psychiatry.
Phone: 404 712-9771
Email: kwilli4@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: A student will may perform but is not limited to, stereotaxic surgery, perfusion, immunohistochemistry, histology, drug administration and implantation of minipumps. Also, may conduct behavioral and/or pharmacological experiments using small rodents as subjects. These may include, but are not limited to, testing rats on the Morris Water Maze, the Elevated Plus Maze, monitoring ambulation via a computer-assisted program. The operation of electrical equipment, PCs experimental apparatus, animal handling, testing of subjects, recording of results, and graphing and analyzing data.
Student Requirements: Extremely well organized is a must
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab: stereotaxic surgery, perfusion, immunohistochemistry, histology, drug administration and implantation of minipumps, testing rats on the Morris Water Maze, the Elevated Plus Maze, monitoring ambulation via a computer-assisted program, animal handling, recording of results, graphing and analyzing data.
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David Pallas. Biochemistry/WCI.
Phone: 404-727-5620
Email: dpallas@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: PP2A is an important phosphatase involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, of apoptosis, and of neuronal function. It has been implicated in both cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. An example of a project an undergraduate could carry out would be to investigate the mechanism of regulation of PP2A by methylation, phosphorylation, etc. Approaches could include shRNA knockdown of enzymes that regulate PP2A, cell biological approaches using time-lapse microscopy, immunological and biochemical monotoring of PP2A's modification and activity, and a variety of other possible genetic, cell biological, or biochemical approaches.
Student Requirements: Juniors and seniors only, unless there are exceptional circumstances where the student has taken a variety of college level biochemistry and related courses.
Techniques used in this lab:
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Dominique Musselman. Psychiatry and Behavioral.
Phone: 404-727-8270
Email: dmussel@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: Database entry, data checking, and perhaps even statistical analyses of neurobiologic clinic data from study subjects with depressive disorders, early life adversity, and/or major medical disorders (including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease); "wet lab" experience ranging from HPLC assays to mRNA amplification, etc.
Additional Project Information: learning structured clinical interviews and diagnostic instruments in order to provide psychiatric diagnoses and dimensional severity of major psychiatric disorders
Student Requirements: We have had great succcess with students at all levels, the basic requirements including a high degree of motivation, willingness to work on weekends and before- and after-regular work hours, conscientiousness including documentation of lab work on a daily basis, and strict adherence to safety protocols when working with biologic samples.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Musselman DL. 2003. Relationship of Depression to Diabetes Types 1 and 2: Epidemiology, Biology, and Treatment. Biologic Psychiatry. 54. 317-329Musselman DL, Lawson DH, Gumnick JF, Penna S, Goodkin R, Greiner K, Manatunga A, Nemeroff
CB, Miller AH. 2001. Paroxetine for the prevention of the depression and neurotoxicity induced by high dose interferon-alpha therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 344: 961-966.
Musselman DL et al. 2003. Relationship of Depression to Diabetes Type 1 and 2. 54: 217-239
(2) Musselman DL, Lawson DH, Gumnick JF, Penna S, Goodkin R, Greiner K, Manatunga A, Nemeroff
CB, Miller AH. 2001. Paroxetine for the prevention of the depression and neurotoxicity induced by high dose interferon-alpha therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 344: 961-966.
Musselman DL, Lawson DH, Gumnick JF, Penna S, Goodkin R, Greiner K, Manatunga A, Nemeroff
CB, Miller AH. 2001. Paroxetine for the prevention of the depression and neurotoxicity induced by high dose interferon-alpha therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 344: 961-966.
Musselman DL, Lawson DH, Gumnick JF, Penna S, Goodkin R, Greiner K, Manatunga A, Nemeroff
CB, Miller AH. 2001. Paroxetine for the prevention of the depression and neurotoxicity induced by high dose interferon-alpha therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 344: 961-966.
Musselman DL et al. Paroxetine for the prevention of depression and neurotoxicity induced by high dose interferon-alpha therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 344. 961-966
(3) Musselman DL et al. 1998. The Relationship of Depression to Cardiovascular Disease: Epidemiology, Biology, and Treatment. Archives of General Psychiatry. 55. 580-592.
Techniques used in this lab:
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Steven Nilsen. Biology.
Phone: 770-784-4678
Email: spnilse@emory.edu
Institution: Oxford College of Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 4
Project Description: "Investigations into the role of recently evolved morphological features in sexual selection"
As with most animals, sexual selection in Drosophila goes on through multiple contests. Males must successfully court females. Females can reject males based on the quality of their courtship songs and other nuances of the courtship ritual. Males also compete for access to females by defending territories that are presumed to attract fecund females. Males compete using innate patterns of aggression with varying levels of intensity and winners are thought to gain better access to available females. Thus both courtship and territorial behaviors are potential sources for sexual selection.
A recently evolved morphological characteristic in Drosophila males is the sex comb. Only two sub-groups show this feature, which is a row of modified bristles at the third or second and third tarsal segments of the male forelimbs. As the name suggests, the sex combs are thought to be used during copulation. However, preliminary findings show that species in the same sub groups that have sex combs also display aggressive behaviors not yet seen outside of those sub groups. This implicated a role for sex combs in aggression as well as the presumed role for sex combs in courtship has yet to be tested.
In collaboration with Artyom Kopp, who has characterized the evolution of the sex combs and implicated their importance to courtship, students will work with me to study how sex combs are used in copulation and aggressive behavior. We will analyze these behaviors using a variety of species that show different sex comb morphologies. Morphological variance will be compared with quantitative behavioral indexes designed to correlate the development of sex combs with with either altered aggression, courtship or both.
Additional Project Information: "Investigating the role of the gene fruitless in feeding behavior."
The gene fruitless codes for a transcription factor in the sex determination cascade of Drosophila, which is specifically expressed in a dozen neural sub-populations of male flies. These neurons are thought to collectively masculinize behavioral patterns. Thus far, courtship behavior and aggressive behavior are shown to be under the control of fruitless. However, feeding behavior, which is also sexual dimoprhic has not yet been shown to interact with fruitless.
Interested students can expand upon preliminary findings on feeding in fruitless mutants that are supportive of an involvement for fruitless in feeding. Students would use the recently developed CAFE protocol to measure feeding and ask weather the lifespans of control and experimental cohorts.
Investigating the rate of adaptation to altered living conditions in innate social behavioral patterns
Inbred strain of Dorosphila have been inbred for approximately 80 years under very dense culturing conditions. The population density of these cultures and living conditions do not mimic wild habitat. Thus, cultured Drosophila offer an excellent opportunity to investigate adaptation to new environmental parameters.
Interested students will make detailed behavioral comparisons between Drosophila recently isolated from the wild and Drosophila cultured for long periods of time. Aggressive behavior, because of its pattern complexity and sensitivity to socialization, will serve as an excellent marker for adaptation. New comparisons will expand existing unpublished data for publication.
Student Requirements: Students at any level whom have taken Bio141 (introductory biology) and are enrolled in or have taken Bio142 (advanced topics in genetics and molecular biology) will be at a significant advantage. Students with coursework in neuroscience, brain and behavior (NBB) will be at an additional advantage. No previous lab experience is required.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Nilsen SP, Chan Y-B, Huber R, and Kravitz EA (2004) Gender-selective patterns of aggressive behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101(33):12342-12347.
(2) Vrontou E., Nilsen SP, Demir E, Kravitz EA, Dickson E (2006) fruitless splicing determines sex-specific patterns of aggression in Drosophila. Nature Neuro. 9:14691471
(3) Chen S, Lee AY, Bowens NM, Huber R, Kravitz EA. (2002) Fighting fruit flies: a model system for the study of aggression. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2002;99:56645668.
(4) Yurkovic A, Wang O, Basu AC, Kravitz EA (2006) Learning and memory associated with aggression in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103(46):17519-24
(5) Barmina O, Kopp A. (2007) Sex-specific expression of a HOX gene associated with rapid morphological evolution. Dev Biol. 311(2):277-86
Techniques used in this lab: Drosophila culturing
Drosophila anatomical characterization
Behavioral assays with Drosophila
aggression
courtship
feeding
Drosophila lifespan analysis
Behavior analysis
Additional Comments: I will eventually have a web page, but development of one is currently of low priority.
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Teresa Madsen. Neuroscience.
Phone: 770-296-9119
Email: tmadsen@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: Off-campus (but accessible via shuttle, e.g., Grady or VA Hospitals)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Our lab studies the amygdala, a primary center for emotional learning in the mammalian brain, from as many angles as possible. Other members of the lab do patch clamp recording in rat brain slices and molecular biology, while I do in vivo electrophysiology in freely moving rats. In other words, I implant electrodes into the amygdala and related brain regions, then record and/or stimulate while the rat is relaxed or afraid in order to determine how neural activity changes with emotional state. An undergraduate could assist me with surgery, behavioral training, electrophysiological recording and stimulation, and post-mortem histological analysis to confirm correct electrode placement.
Student Requirements: The student should have taken at least one basic neuroscience or bio-psych course. A junior or senior neuroscience major would be preferable. No previous research experience is necessary.
Important personal qualities include: intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, good communication skills (verbal and written), takes initiative and is self-motivated, comfortable learning new software, interested in a research career.
Techniques used in this lab: stereotaxic neurosurgery for implantation of multi-electrode recording arrays
behavioral training
in vivo electrophysiology
histology
Additional Comments: The PI of the lab is Donald G. Rainnie, Ph.D. I am a 4th year graduate student in the Neuroscience program. Please consult our lab website (http://research.yerkes.emory.edu/Rainnie/index.html) for more information.
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Gary Bassell. Cell Biology/Neurology.
Phone: 404-727-3772
Email: gbassel@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 2
Project Description: The objective of the project is to use cell and molecular biological methods to investigate defects in the development of nerve cells in a mouse model of an inherited neurological disease. The student will learn methods in: nerve tissue processing, nerve cell culture, immunocytochemistry and DNA/RNA analysis. At the end of the project, it is expected that the student will have analyzed for a possible impairments in the protein and mRNA composition of specific nerve and synapse populations. Throughout the project, the student will receive training in the required methods from a PhD neuroscientist. The student will also have opportunities to interact with graduate and undergraduate students.
Student Requirements: rising juniors and seniors only
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Zhang et al. 2001. Neurotrophin induced transport. Neuron. 31.261-275.
(2) Zhang et al. 2003. Active transport of SMN. Journal of Neuroscience. 23. 6627-6637.
(3) Antar et al. 2004. Metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. Journal of Neuroscience.24.2648-2655
(4) Bassell and Kelic. 2004. Binding proteins for mRNA localization. Curr Opin Neurobiol.14.574-581.
(5) Antar and Bassell. 2003. Sunrise at the Synapse. Neuron. 37.555-558.
Techniques used in this lab: nerve tissue processing, cell culture, gel electrophoresis, PCR, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy
Additional Comments: Dr. Bassell has a long standing history of mentorship in undergraduate research.
You will learn a lot and also have fun in the process!
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Gretchen Neigh. Psychiatry & Behav Sci.
Phone: 404-727-9022
Email: gmccand@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 1
Project Description: Approximately 20% of the geriatric population manifests a neurobehavioral syndrome that is believed to be of vascular origin and consists of mild cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety. One possible cause for this syndrome is multiple minute strokes throughout the brain. Because of the inherent limitations of human research, my lab is using a rat model to determine if experimentally-induced multiple minute ischemic lesions produce behavioral changes similar to those documented in the geriatric human population. Data to date have demonstrated that induction of these lesions produces anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in young adult rats. The available project involves comparing behavioral outcomes between young adult and aged adult rats. In addition, the student would begin to analyze the differences in brain damage that occur from these lesions in a young versus an aged rat.
Student Requirements: The student should be familiar with working in a laboratory and have experience working with animals.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Neigh, G.N., Kofler, J., Meyers, J.L., Traystman, R.J., Bergdall, V., La Perle, K., DeVries, A.C.
(2004) Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases anxiety-like behavior and
decreases social interaction. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 24:372-382.
Neigh, G.N., Kofler, J., Meyers, J.L., Traystman, R.J., Bergdall, V., La Perle, K., DeVries, A.C.
(2004) Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases anxiety-like behavior and
decreases social interaction. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism 24:372-382.
(2) Neigh, G.N., Glasper, E., Kofler, J., Traystman, R.J., Mervis, R., Bachstatter, A.,
DeVries, A.C. (2004) Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation selectively
alters formation of spatial memory and abates dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal cells.
European Journal of Neuroscience 20:1865-1872.
(3) Neigh, G.N., Glasper, E.R., Zhang, N., Plotsky, P.M., Nemeroff, C.B., DeVries, A.C. (In prep)
Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases CRF R1 receptor binding and alter
HPA axis responsivity.
Techniques used in this lab: behavioral testing - elevated plus maze, anhedonia, open field
histology - tissue preparation, cutting, staining
stereology - systematic assessment of tissue damage
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David LaBorde. Neurosurgery.
Phone: 6782094860
Email: dlabord@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability:
Lab Positions: 4
Project Description: 1. Clinical: Retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of treatment with 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask for the resolution of pneumocephalus assessed radiographically in neurosurgical patients.
Additional Project Information: 2. Clinical / Translational: Quantitatively elucidate how selectively FolateScan (a standard imaging radionuclide, technetium-99m, conjugated to a ligand known as EC20the vitamin folatewhich facilitates binding to folate receptor alpha) is taken up by the pituitary gland (as compared to other intracranial structures) in 80 patients with folate receptor positive non-functioning pituitary tumors who underwent SPECT/CT scanning (NIH R01 funded project).
3. Economics in medicine: Retrospectively examine supply and demand trends for neurosurgeons by analyzing changes in the job market over the past 8 years using a help wanted index methodology looking at the number of advertisements placed for neurosurgery positions during this time period. Any correlations with publicly available median income data for neurosurgeons will also be evaluated.
4. Managerial science: Determine what characterizes academic neurosurgery departments that secure large amounts of external funding for research by examining the characteristics of those institutions with NIH funding and comparing the 'top tier' institutions to the 'lower tier' institutions (as determined by dollars of NIH funding) to provide departments with information that may help them increase their external research funding.
5. Economics in medicine: Examine the relative attractiveness of Neurosurgery as a specialty to medical students by analyzing trends in the residency match over an 8 year period of time as compared to a help wanted index and salary data. Determine any associations between shifts in specialty preference and overall employment market prospects.
6. Medical Education--MD/MBA Programs: Examine changes in the number of MD/MBA programs and the number of matriculants into these programs in order to draw conclusions about trends in graduating physician early career interest in management education.
Student Requirements: Desired characteristics: Must be a self starter with the ability to manage time effectively, design the critical pieces of a project with guidance, establish milestones, plan and manage the work flow to achieve established milestones, effectively problem solve on-the-fly, anticipate problems early, identify errors, pay close attention to detail, function well working independently yet be able to work collaboratively with a team, and execute on a project through to completion. Should have an interest in clinical research and / or statistical analysis and a desire to publish in a scholarly journal.
Responsibilities: Drive protocol/project design, management, and execution in line with established objectives and time lines. Status updates will be required weekly or in some cases every other week. Work on some of these projects will include collecting data via manual data abstraction, surveys and interviews. Much of this work will be carried out on an independent basis in between project meetings with only very loose supervision. Participants will not be micro-managed and must be self driven and comfortable with working in this fashion. Those that will succeed must be able to walk the fine line of working on their own, yet have the ability to know when they are 'spinning their wheels' and need to reach out for guidance.
Skills required: Superior oral, written and analytical skills. Must be comfortable managing large complex data sets. Experience using Word, Excel, Access, SPSS, MySQL, Oracle, and Endnote is desirable, but not an absolute requirement. Familiarity with statistics is a plus. Many of the protocols will require interviewing skills and excellent phone etiquette.
Eligibility: This opportunity is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Successful candidates must be able to commit to participation for at least three to four months to make this a meaningful experience.
Accepts 1st year students? Y
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Techniques used in this lab:
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Yoland Smith. Yerkes Primate Center.
Phone: 404-727-7519
Email: ysmit01@emory.edu
Institution: Emory
Location: On Campus (Emory main campus)
Availability: Spring,Summer,Fall
Lab Positions: 0
Project Description: From Synaptic Connections of the Basal Ganglia to Therapeutic Strategies in Parkinson's Disease. The main research interest of my laboratory is to understand the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and characterize changes in the synaptic plasticity of the basal ganglia in normal and pathological conditions. To achieve these goals, we have developed a collaborative, interdisciplinary research program that uses in vitro and in vivo anatomical, electrophysiological, pharmacological and brain imaging approaches to study the functional organization of the basal ganglia in normal nonhuman primates and in nonhuman primate models of Parkinson's disease. This work is complemented with behavioral studies of novel surgical and pharmacologic therapies for Parkinson's disease in nonhuman primates.
Student Requirements: Any student with a satisfactory biological science background (some chemistry, biology, maths etc...) and strong motivation to learn about NS and biomedical research in general should enjoy a stay in my lab
Accepts 2nd year students? Y
Suggested Reading (References):
(1) Villalba R, H Lee and Y Smith (2009) Dopaminergic denervation and spine loss in the striatum of MPTP-treated monkeys. Exp. Neurol 215: 220-227, PMID: 18977221.
(2) Mitrano, D, C. Arnold and Y Smith (2008) A comparative analysis of the subcellular and subsynaptic localization of group I mGluRs in the nucleus accumbens of normal and cocaine-treated rats. Neuroscience 154: 653-666, PMID: 18479833.
(3) Kliem, MA, NT Maidment, LC Ackerson, Y Smith and T Wichmann (2007) Activation of nigral and pallidal dopamine D1 receptors modulates basal ganglia outflow in monkeys. J Neurophysiol 98: 1489-1500.
(4) Poisik, OV, Y. Smith and PJ Conn (2007) D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors regulate signaling properties of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in the rat globus pallidus. Eur J Neurosci 26: 852-862.
(5) Raju DV, TH Ahern, DJ Shah, TM Wright, DG Standaert, RA Hall, Y Smith (2008) Differential synaptic plasticity of the corticostriatal and thalamostriatal systems in MPTP-treated monkey model of Parkinsons Disease. Eur J Neuroscience 27: 1647-1658. PMID: 18428632.
Techniques used in this lab: Electron microscopy immunocytochemistry (immunogold, immunoperoxidase, inmmunofluorescence), Confocal microscopy, Tract-tracing techniques, In vitro patch clamp recording in brain slices, In vivo recording in awake monkeys, Microdialysis in monkeys, PET Brain Imaging, Behavioral pharmacotherapy for drug testing in parkinsonian monkeys.
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