UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #941

Submission information
Submission Number: 941
Submission ID: 15331
Submission UUID: 1338a0b1-cbfa-4701-b4ff-7e94665a203c

Created: Wed, 08/21/2024 - 04:34 PM
Completed: Wed, 08/21/2024 - 05:03 PM
Changed: Tue, 10/01/2024 - 11:21 AM

Remote IP address: 217.180.196.76
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
Primary Research Mentor Name James M. Jordan
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) jmjordan@fsu.edu
Position Title Faculty
FSU College (if applicable) Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Biology
Headshot (optional) IMG_3475.jpeg
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above)
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable)
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated)
Title of the Project Uncovering mediators of nutritional effects on metabolic gene expression in health and disease
Project Keywords metabolism; epigenetics; genomics; lipid; liver disease
Are you currently looking for research assistants? No
Number of Research Assistants Needed 4
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) 1. Biology
2. Genetics
3. Chemistry
4. Computer Science
5. Computational Biology
(But open to all majors.)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 8
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description Our project is about understanding how different environmental factors, like undernutrition or overnutrition, can change the way our cells function and how these changes can lead to health problems or diseases later in life. For example, more than 40% of Americans are obese, which can lead to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver problems, and even cancer.

Cells have to constantly adjust to changes in their environment. One way they do this is by controlling which genes are turned on or off using proteins called transcription factors. In the liver, these transcription factors tightly control the expression of genes involved in whole-body metabolism. However, when someone becomes obese due to a high-fat diet, the normal subcellular localization pattern of these transcription factors is disrupted, leading to harmful patterns of gene expression.

We’ve compared the proteins in the nuclei of liver cells from healthy mice to those from mice fed a high-fat diet for their entire lives. We found that certain transcription factors don’t go where they should during periods of fasting and feeding. To figure out which of these proteins are causing problems in liver metabolism, we will change the levels of these proteins in liver cells and observe the effects on gene and protein expression, sugar and fat metabolism, and how the cells produce energy. If we find a protein that seems to cause or prevent problems, we’ll study it more closely to understand how it works and test its effects in mice. This research could lead to new ways to treat metabolic diseases by targeting these key proteins and the processes they control.
Research Tasks 1. Benchwork including working with human and mouse cell lines, genetic manipulation of cell lines, and phenotyping of cells using qPCR, Western blotting, microscopy, metabolic assays, and 'omics-based approaches.
2. Students will conduct data collection, statistical analysis and visualization of data, interpretation of complex datasets, and will integrate their findings into our existing body of knowledge.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Training will be provided.
Mentoring Philosophy I am committed to creating an environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth, where students are empowered to explore and achieve their full potential. I offer my time and guidance, actively listening to my students and providing thoughtful advice to help them define realistic goals, manage their time effectively, and translate their findings into publishable work. While I provide the necessary structure to support their endeavors, I believe deeply in leaving room for creativity, encouraging students to follow their data and imagination wherever it may lead. Collaboration is the cornerstone of modern scientific research, and I envision my lab as a cohesive unit, where each member’s unique strengths contribute to our collective progress. I am dedicated to fostering a lab culture built on honesty, transparency, and scientific rigor, where every student, regardless of background, feels welcome and valued.
Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7z2K9jUAAAAJ&hl=en
Please add any additional information here (if applicable):
Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links Sep. 3, 2024, 11-11:30a, https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91614446007
Sep. 4, 2024, 11-11:30a, https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91614446007
Sep. 5, 2024, 11-11:30a, https://fsu.zoom.us/j/91614446007
Roundtable Info
Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation Yes
Materials Grant Yes
UROP Poster Presentation Yes
Year 2024
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