Project Mentor

Dr. Riqiang Yan
Department of Neuroscience

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	Chemokines and cytokines play a role in a variety of degenerative diseases. This project will explore the role of a particular chemokine CXCL14 on Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will be using imaging and biochemical techniques to localize and quantify CXCL14 in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease patient tissue. The effect of CXCL14 on cell migration into the brain will also be explored using culturing and live imaging techniques.
Project Direction	Broadly this project will explore if CXCL14 plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, this project will explore potential receptors and signaling pathways of CXCL14. By targeting CXCL14 as a potential therapy against protein aggregation, Alzheimer’s disease progression might be attenuated.
Mentorship and Supervision	Research assistants will be placed under the supervision of a senior student or post doctorate, who will facilitate day to day training and mentoring. Weekly lab meetings will be a forum for assistants to present their work and receive commentary from fellow lab mates, including the principal investigator. Additional meetings with principal investigator can be scheduled outside of lab meetings.
Student Qualifications	1. Completion of introductory neuroscience course. 2. Rising sophomore or higher. 3. Previous experience in immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, confocal microscopy, and sterile culture technique is useful but not required.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 26 to July 31, 2020 Schedule: M-F, 9am-5pm
Project Continuation	Fall 2020, Spring 2021
Academic Year Time Commitment	3 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP20-29. The application deadline is Monday, February 3, 2020.

This application requires a resume or CV.