Enhancing Opportunities for Undergraduate Learning in Immunology

这项提议的目的是为本科生提供机会，让他们参与一所小型文理学院的细胞免疫学研究。学生将由首席研究员指导，首席研究员是一名在免疫学和科学教育方面进行双重培训的教员，通过NSF科学、数学、工程和技术教育项目(PFSMETE)的博士后奖学金。独立研究对本科生来说是一种强大的学习经历。学生被激励去创造性地思考。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。本科生的研究可以激励学生追求科学事业，而那些有机会与敬业的老师和导师密切合作的人，可能更有可能将教育作为未来道路的一部分。因此，这种经历的好处远远超出了所涉及的个人。拟议的研究将集中在鱼的免疫系统上，这是一个非常适合在小型大学环境中学习的模型。鱼的适应性免疫系统特别有趣，因为它与老鼠和人类的免疫系统有许多相同的细胞类型和功能，但更简单，而且在很大程度上还没有被研究过。支持将允许最多四名学生(在学年和暑期)研究斑马鱼B细胞(产生抗体的白细胞)对无毒蛋白免疫的反应动力学。例如，在用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、脾和头肾中产生抗体的细胞的数量和位置。这项工作具有明显的优势，可以很容易地划分为定义明确的项目，以适应不同水平的经验和知识的学生。学生们将在一年一度的全校研究研讨会以及地区性和/或全国性的科学会议上交流他们的发现。关于B细胞在初级免疫反应中何时何地发生激活的信息将为开始研究次级记忆细胞介导的反应提供基础，这些反应负责对病原体提供长期免疫。了解鱼类的免疫记忆是如何形成和维持的，将有助于理解高等脊椎动物免疫系统的进化，并有助于开发更有效的水产养殖疫苗。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.