UROP Project
Maize Molecular Genetics and Genomics of Transcription Factors
molecular biology, DNA isolation and analysis, bioinformatics, maize (corn), yeast genetics, discovery research in maize and human
Research Mentor: Mr. Paul Agbola,
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: psa23b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Arts and Sciences
Contact Email: psa23b@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Life science majors, especially Biology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: Life science majors, especially Biology, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, or Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS)
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 1
Start Time: 3:30
End Time: 4:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/3502326572 - Day: Friday, September 4
Start Time: 1:00
End Time: 2:00
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/3502326572
Project Description
Work with doctoral student in the H Bass lab to study gene regulation, with emphasis on chromatin profiling and gene regulatory elements.This project aims to identify the molecular genetics switches that control trait development in the model crop species corn (Zea mays). We use our FSU-developed technology, MOA-seq, to pinpoint the location of more than 100,000 genetic switches. These switches work through the binding of two components: the short DNA sequences (DNA motifs) and the proteins (Transcription Factors/TFs) that bind to them. Our MOA-seq technology defined 215 DNA motif families, but not their binding partners, the protein TFs. This crucial gap in our knowledge can begin to be filled using a powerful genetic assay called YEAST ONE-HYBRID screening, currently underway as part of Agbola's PhD project.
Research Tasks: Student will learn basic molecular biology, wet-bench science, and participate in lab group meetings on Mondays, 3:30-500pm.
Primary activities involve DNA manipulation (ordering synthetic oligos, constructing plasmids, bacterial and yeast transformations), and protein expression for DNA-protein binding experiments. Interactions and collaboration with bioinformatics analysis may also be done as part of a team of students working on this project.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Looking for team players with organizational skills and willingness to learn new techniques.
Prior knowledge of lab basics is helpful, but not required.
Good work ethic helps make if productive and fun.
Students need to take lab notes, produce and analyze data, as described by the mentors.
Mentoring Philosophy
Dr. Bass mentoring philosophy will be used:As a Professor of Biological Science, my focus is on studying plant genetics, maize epigenomics, and genome architecture, utilizing 3D imaging, molecular genetics, and genomics.
My students are engaged, therefore, in our shared research goals.
My mentoring philosophy involves treating students as though they are already in the next stage of their professional development.
While the expectations are high, I make sure to acknowledge and support their efforts, training, and growth, irrespective of the outcome of their projects.
By doing so, they experience the ups and downs of being a real scientist and receive meaningful guidance and skills to enhance and apply their education.
To bring this philosophy to life, I help my students produce lasting contributions from their work in the form of presentations or peer-reviewed publications. This enables them to make a tangible impact and gain recognition for their work.
After working with student scholars at FSU for over 20 years, I created the E3 principle of student mentoring - Empowerment, Excellence, and Elevation.
EMPOWERMENT: Creating opportunities for additional career growth and putting students in charge of their projects for them to learn to own and enjoy their achievements.
EXCELLENCE: Hands-on training teaches excellence in scholarship, and how adhering to high standards in data quality and management can lead to success.
ELEVATION: Providing opportunities to excel beyond the traditional student experience, embedding them in conferences, scientific discussions, and collaborations. These activities elevate their performance, confidence, and competitiveness for their future careers.
Additional Information
Bass lab is a good work environment for undergraduate students, for more information, see the undergraduate alumni on this page:https://www.bio.fsu.edu/bass/people/