Tag: Neuroscience

Unraveling the Spider’s Circadian Clock (Natalia Toporikova)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Are you fascinated by the intricate workings of nature’s timekeepers? Do you have a passion for interdisciplinary research? Are you ready to spin a web of knowledge about arachnid chronobiology? If so, we have an exciting summer research opportunity for you! We anticipate 2 students joining our dynamic lab team to explore the biological mechanisms of the spider’s circadian clock. This cutting-edge research project aims to show how these eight-legged marvels regulate their internal rhythms. We welcome applications from students across various majors(or inspiring majors), including: Computer Science( Develop websites to conduct data analysis), Physics (Create models of circadian systems), Engineering (Signal processing of spider locomotion activity), Neuroscience (Design and conduct spider behavior experiments), Data Science (Analyze complex behavioral datasets) ï Biology: Investigate gene expression patterns related to circadian rhythms

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Prerequisites

Appreciation for spiders and eagerness to learn more about them. Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team. Commitment to learn Python programming language

Special Comments

To accomplish the project, you must learn how to work with data frames in Python (pandas library). If you are not familiar with pandas, you need to take either Biol-187, Intro to Data Science (Winter 2025) or Biol-297, Behavioral Data Science (Spring 2025)

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Natalia Toporikova (email: toporikovan@wlu.edu)

Reciprocal interaction between pesticide-induced shifts in the tadpolesí gut microbiome and the epigenome (Fiona Watson)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Please note, project is in collaboration with Dr. Leah Lanier: It is well established that the gut microbiome can affect the health of the brain and central nervous system. The central aim of our project is to develop a detailed understanding of the impact of chronic subacute low level exposures to different classes of pesticides and herbicides, similar to the kinds of exposure humans obtain from their food and environment on a daily basis, can affect the composition of the gut microbiome. Specifically, this summer we plan to determine whether there are associated changes in the tadpolesí epigenome.

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Prerequisites

no

Special Comments

W2025 Neur 421/401 or BIOL 421/401

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 1

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Fiona Watson (email: watsonf@wlu.edu)

The role of Uchl-1 in adult frog optic nerve regeneration (Fiona Watson)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

In my lab we use the adult forg’s optic nerve axon crush injury model to investigate the genes involved during the period of regeneration. Currently, we are examining the expression pattern of a gene product expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We have carried out these assays on young (one and two-year olds) adult frogs. This summer students will be carrying out experiments using aged (5 and 10-year olds) frogs to determine whether aging slows the ability to regenerate.

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Prerequisites

no

Special Comments

Biol or Neur 421 course during Winter 2025

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 2

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Fiona Watson (email: watsonf@wlu.edu)

Effects of diet-induced obesity on the reproductive system (Sarah Blythe)

On campus: this project is scheduled to begin on 6/2/2025 and run for 8 weeks, finishing on 7/25/2025.

Project Description

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 7ñ10% of women of childbearing age and is the most common cause of infertility. In the United States, an estimated 5 to 6 million women have PCOS. There is no known cause of PCOS, but the disorder is commonly associated with excessive weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Our lab discovered that obesity induced by a high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet profoundly alters the rat estrous cycle and leads to the development of ovarian cysts, thereby creating a novel rodent model of PCOS. The purpose of the proposed study is to gain a better understanding of the timing of symptom progression, as well as to investigate potential exercise-based intervention strategies. In addition to standard bench work, students will gain experience in microscopy, histology, and image analysis.

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Prerequisites

Students are highly encouraged to enroll in 1 credit of research during Winter term to prepare for summer research.

Special Comments

Project Information (subject to change)

Estimated Start Date: 6/2/2025

Estimated End Date: 7/25/2025

Estimated Project Duration: 8 weeks

Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3

Research Location: On campus

Contact Information: Sarah Blythe (email: blythes@wlu.edu)