Enhancing Opportunities for Undergraduate Learning in Immunology

这项建议的目的是为本科生提供机会，在一个小型的文科学院参与细胞免疫学的研究。学生将由首席研究员指导，首席研究员是一名受过免疫学和科学教育双重培训的教师，通过NSF科学，数学，工程和技术教育计划博士后奖学金（PFSMETE）。独立研究是本科生的强大学习体验。激发学生创造性地思考。他们有机会发展实验设计，数据分析和解释，与他人交流发现和想法的技能，并感受到发现的纯粹兴奋。本科研究可以激励学生追求科学事业，而那些有机会与专门的教师和导师密切合作的人可能更有可能将教育作为他们未来道路的一部分。因此，这种经验的好处远远超出了个人参与。拟议的研究将集中在免疫系统的鱼类，一个模型好吗？适合在小型大学环境中学习。鱼类的适应性免疫系统特别有趣，因为它具有许多与小鼠和人类免疫系统相同的细胞类型和功能，但更简单，而且在很大程度上未被探索。支持将允许最多四名学生（在学年以及夏季）的工作特点的斑马鱼B细胞（抗体？产生白色血细胞）对无害蛋白免疫的反应。例如，在不同的蛋白质免疫后的不同时间，学生将确定主要淋巴器官，脾脏和头肾中抗体产生细胞的数量和位置。这项工作有一个明显的优点，那就是很容易划分。定义的项目，将适应不同层次的经验和知识的学生。学生们将在每年的大学里交流他们的发现？广泛的研究研讨会，以及区域和/或国家的科学会议。信息在哪里和何时B细胞激活发生在初级免疫反应将提供一个基础上，开始研究二级，记忆细胞介导的反应，这些是负责提供长期？对病原体的免疫力。了解免疫记忆是如何在鱼类中发展和维持的，将有利于理解高等脊椎动物免疫系统的进化，并努力开发更有效的疫苗用于水产养殖。让本科生成为这一知识领域的贡献者将是无价的。

The objective of this proposal is to provide opportunities for undergraduates to participate in research in cellular immunology at a small liberal arts college. Students will be mentored by the Principal Investigator, a faculty member with dual training in immunology and science education, through the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education Program (PFSMETE).Independent research is a powerful learning experience for undergraduates. Students are motivated to think creatively. They are given the chance to develop skills in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, communication of findings and ideas with others, and to feel the sheer excitement of discovery. Undergraduate research can inspire students to pursue careers in science, and those who have the chance to work closely with a dedicated teacher and mentor may be more likely to include education as part of their future paths. Thus, the benefit of such experience goes well beyond the individuals involved.The research proposed will focus on the immune system of fish, a model well?suited for study in a small college setting. The adaptive immune system of fish is particularly interesting because it has many of the same cell types and functions as the mouse and human immune systems, yet is simpler and largely unexplored. Support will allow up to four students (during the academic year as well as summers) to work on characterizing the kinetics of zebrafish B cell (antibody?producing white blood cells) responses to immunization with innocuous proteins. For example, at various times after immunization with different proteins, students will determine the number and location of antibody producing cells in the main lymphoid organs, spleen and head kidney. This work has the distinct advantage of being easily divided into well?defined projects that will accommodate students of different levels of experience and knowledge. Students will communicate their findings the yearly college?wide research symposiums, as well as regional and/or national scientific meetings.Information on where and when B cell activation occurs during the primary immune response will provide a basis on which to begin to study secondary, memory cell mediated responses, those which are responsible for providing long?term immunity to pathogens. Learning how immune memory is developed and maintained in fish will be beneficial both to understanding the evolution of higher vertebrate immune systems, and to efforts in developing more effective vaccines for aquaculture. Having undergraduates be empowered contributors to this field of knowledge will be invaluable.