REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Molecular Biosciences

生物化学和分子生物学采用化学、物理、细胞生物学、微生物学和遗传学的方法来研究复杂生物分子的结构和功能。这些功能包括它们如何在生物体中运作，以及这些分子的变化如何扰乱生命状态。生物化学和分子生物学的研究整合了许多基础课程的教学和实验材料。REU分子生物科学基地计划将继续使合格的本科生能够使用各种实验方法进行独立研究项目。该计划旨在为参与者提供各种研究领域，从中选择一个有意义和令人兴奋的独立研究项目。学生将学习如何制定和测试假设，并培养在遇到意外情况时排除故障和解决问题的能力。他们将有机会使用最先进的仪器并接受培训。通过每周的会议和研究海报展示，学生们将发展与同龄人交流他们的研究成果的能力。该计划将为这些学生提供适当的榜样，以增强他们对科学研究事业的热情，并将向所有参与者强调影响科学研究事业的性别和多样性问题。在过去的两年里，通过国际实习，该项目已经并将继续为那些表现出卓越研究能力的本科生提供机会，让他们在国外的主办实验室进行合作研究项目，他们已经接受了事先的培训。这些学生学会了将科学研究视为一项国际努力，并帮助加强了国际合作研究项目。该计划将帮助参与者准备申请研究生院和研究生奖学金。

Biochemistry and molecular biology employ methods from chemistry, physics, cell biology, microbiology, and genetics to study the structure and function of complex biomolecules. These functions include how they operate in living organisms and how alterations in these molecules perturb the living state. Biochemistry and molecular biology research integrates didactic and experimental material learned in many basic courses. This REU Site Program in Molecular Biosciences will continue to enable qualified undergraduates to do independent research projects using a variety of experimental approaches. The program is designed to offer the participants a variety of research areas from which to choose a meaningful and exciting independent study project. Students will learn how to formulate and test hypotheses and develop the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve when confronted with the unexpected. They will have access to and training in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation. Through weekly meetings and a research poster presentation, students will develop the ability to communicate their results to their peers. The program will provide appropriate role models for these students to reinforce their excitement for a scientific research career and will emphasize to all participants the gender and diversity issues that impact research careers in science. For the past two years, through International Internships, the program has provided and will continue to provide the opportunity for undergraduates who demonstrate superior research aptitude to work in a foreign host laboratory on a collaborative research project for which they have received prior training. These students have learned to appreciate scientific research as an international endeavor and have helped strengthen international collaborative research projects. The program will assist participants in preparing applications to graduate schools and graduate fellowships.