Mentor Areas
Molecular Biology, Genetics, Development, Neuroscience
Description:
The Raper laboratory is focused on defining and characterizing the cues that guide growing axons to their targets in the developing nervous system. The lab works with embryonic zebrafish to study the development of the primary olfactory projection. Candidate axon guidance molecules are identified by expression profiling of mRNA in defined subsets of olfactory sensory neurons. Mutations in the corresponding candidate genes are generated by CRISPR/Cas9. We have developed transgenic lines of fish in which specific subsets of olfactory neurons project to well defined, identifiable target locations in the bulb. These specific axon projections are then compared in normal and mutant fish to elucidate the role of candidate guidance cues in axon pathfinding.
Preferred Qualifications
An interest in genetics, developmental biology, or neuroscience is a requirement. Sophomores and Juniors who are interested in lab work term time and summers preferred.
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Project Academic Year
2023–2024
Volunteer
No
Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.