Investigating Unconventional Myosins at the McLaughlin Research Institute

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Investigating Unconventional Myosins at the
McLaughlin Research Institute

• Patrick Wood
• BIOS, MUS 07

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Why Participate in Research?

• Youre a Science Major!
• Lecture and lab classes dont paint the whole
  picture
• Helps in deciding career path
• Essentially required for graduate school and a
  huge plus on professional school applications
• Its exciting to be a pioneer in the creation of
  new knowledge!

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McLaughlin Research Institute

• Small biomedical research facility in Great
  Falls, MT
• Four PIs plus post-docs and physicians
• Mouse Facility
• Varied Research Areas Prions, Development,
  Molecular Motors

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Summer Student Program

• High School, College Students from in-state.
• This year, 2 college, 2 high school students
• Stipend Provided (3k), housing subsidized.
• Due to small size of program, excellent
  one-on-one atmosphere and mentoring,
  participation in real research (vs. stock
  projects used repeatedly in some programs)

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Molecular Motors

• Research with John Mercer Lab investigated
  unconventional Myosins
• Cooperativity of actin- and microtubule-based
  vesicular transit (especially Myo Vb).
• Role of motors (Myo Ic) in transcriptional
  complexes.
• Experimental methods based on a chemical genetic
  approach
• Introduction of modified proteins that may be
  shut down via injection of selective inhibitors

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Methods/Techniques

• Cell Biology
• Live cell fluorescence microscopy,
  microinjection, and analysis
• Cell culture
• Transfections
• Molecular Genetics
• Plasmid design ligations, digests, etc.
• PCR genotyping

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Major Findings

• Myo Vb is in active conformation even when a
  vesicle is undergoing dynein/kinesin transport
  (perhaps acts as brake in directing high speed
  intracellular traffic)
• Chemical-genetic approaches match other recent
  experiments suggesting motors are required for
  transcription (motors in the nucleusgasp!)

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Other Experience Gained

• Mice symposia by Jackson Laboratory scientists
  and representatives
• Animal laboratory experience
• Good ol Montana Adventure.

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Things to Consider

• Relevant to your interests?
• Cell/Genetics vs. clinical science vs. ecology
  etc
• Academic Year vs. Summer
• Academic year research spots are limited and
  often difficult to fit into schedule summer
  research allows you to focus on your project
  full-time.
• Type of institution?
• Smaller institutions, although not as
  prestigious, are often less selective and offer
  a better experience for undergrad summer programs
• Go local! Find local programs looking for (or
  requiring!) local students