Project Mentor

Dr. Steven Chou
Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description

Project Description	Using the red blood cell cytoskeleton to probe the structural basis of actin polymerization by formins. Aim 1. Isolation of the short actin filaments in human red blood cells. Aim 2. Architecture of short actin filaments alone. Aim 3. Association of FH2 domains to the short actin filaments. Aim 4. Structural basis of actin nucleation and polymerization by different FH2 domains. Aim 5. Inhibition of pathological Formin-mediated actin polymerization.
Project Direction	The student will isolate the short actin filaments from human red blood cells, and use the short actin filaments to study the interactions with other actin-binding proteins, especially those bind to the barbed end of actin filaments. There are more than 200 proteins that can bind to actin filaments.
Mentorship and Supervision	I will mentor the research of the undergraduate student, and guide the student through all the processes. I will report regularly to the HRP program about the progress of the research.
Student Qualifications	Interests in human research. No blood phobia.
Summer Schedule Options	Research Dates: May 22 to July 28, 2023 Schedule: Flexible, usually M-F, within schedule parameters of 9am-6pm
Project Continuation	Fall 2023, Spring 2024
Academic Year Time Commitment	6 hours/week
Possible Thesis Project	Yes

Application

Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRP23-8. The application deadline is Monday, January 30, 2023.

This application requires a brief statement of research interests and a brief statement of career interests.