Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site in Cell Signaling in Neurobiology

南卡罗来纳医科大学的本科生研究经验(REU)项目旨在提供前沿神经科学研究的教学和实验室研究经验。成功的申请者将接受神经科学方面的综合培训，接触一个或多个实验室，在那里他们将拥有特定研究项目的实践经验，并认识到负责将新知识带入社会和培训新神经科学家的研究人员所面临的道德责任。学生将有机会使用各种生物、化学和生物物理方法来了解细胞生物学，因为它与神经元的功能有关。研究将集中在中枢神经系统功能的体外和体内模型的细胞神经可塑性反应，包括受体、信号转导途径、发育和细胞分化中的信号以及记忆形成的研究。研究期为期十周，近期目标是：1)让学生亲身体验神经科学中的科学发现；2)欣赏神经科学研究中的职业。这项建议的首要目标和意义是，通过接触REU计划，我们可以吸引重要的人力资源进入神经科学研究领域。然而，即使没有选择科学职业，REU计划也将给我们社会中未来的决策者带来对发现过程的强烈赞赏。

The research experiences for undergraduates (REU) program at the Medical University of South Carolina is designed to provide both didactic and laboratory research experience in cutting-edge neuroscience research. The successful applicants will receive overview training in the neurosciences, exposure to one or more laboratories where they will have hands on experience in a specific research project, as well as an appreciation for the ethical responsibilities faced by researchers responsible for bringing new knowledge into society and training new neuroscientists. Students will have the opportunity to use a variety of biological, chemical and biophysical approaches to understanding cell biology as it pertains to the functioning of neurons. Research will be focussed on the cellular neuroplastic responses of in vitro and in vivo models of central nervous system functions, including studies of receptors, signal transduction pathways, signaling in development and cell differentiation, as well as in memory formation. The research period will be for a period of ten weeks with an immediate goal of, 1) giving the students hands on experience in the excitement of scientific discovery in the neurosciences, and 2) an appreciation for what a career in research in the neurosciences would be like. The overarching goal and significance of this proposal is that through exposure to the REU program we can attract an important human resource into the field of neuroscience research. However, even if a career in science is not chosen, the REU program will give future decision makers in our society a strong appreciation for the discovery process.