New Project Added!

Michael Bartlett The Role of Basal Transcription Factors in Gene Expression in Hyperthermophile Archaea. Our research focus is on the basic mechanism of transcription in the archaea. The transcription machinery in archaea is strikingly similar to that of eukaryotes, although considerably simpler. Our model system is the hyperthermophile archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows best at temperatures near 100°C. The roles of its transcription factors in transcription initiation and elongation are being studied using biochemistry and molecular biology. We recently developed a novel cross-linking technique to define protein-DNA interactions that relies on recombinant proteins containing unnatural amino acids. An REU project will involve introduction of mutations in surfaces likely to be involved in DNA-protein interactions, followed by characterization of the mutant proteins in biochemical assays. Through this, the REU student will gain experience in the design and introduction of site-directed mutations, protein purification, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and in vitro analysis of protein-DNA interactions. Understanding the specific positioning and roles of transcription factors will help develop a unified model for transcription initiation and elongation in eukaryotic-type transcription systems.

Seminars Moved to Mondays

I have changed the seminars to Monday evenings. The seminars will focus on practical skills, including report writing, public speaking, an in-depth workshop on graduate school application, designing and presenting a good PowerPoint, poster design and presentation/defense, grant writing and funding resources, and an ethics round table. All REU participants will be required to attend.

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Online Application

Some applicants have requested recommendations personally, but have not yet filled out the online application. I have received some stellar letters on behalf of students that I hope will soon apply. You may not leave any of the fields blank for the online application; if you have already requested recommendations, you may put your own email address in the field. Otherwise, a letter will be automatically generated asking your recommender for a letter. If this is the case, you can let your recommender know that he or she can disregard the message if a letter has already been sent.