Research Opportunity Number: MOL-01
Project Title: Translational regulation of chemokine Cxcl12 in mouse mammary epithelial cells
Project Summary: Cxcl12 is an essential chemokine involved in normal mammary development and contributing to breast cancer progression and immune regulation. Cxcl12 mediates the signaling between epithelial cells and immune cells in the mammary gland. Our recent studies showed that Cxcl12 is highly expressed in mammary gland stem cell while under tight post-transcriptional regulation. The project uses combination of PCR cloning, mouse cell culture/transfection and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting(FACS) technics to delineate the novel regulatory mechanism controlling the translation of Cxcl12 protein.
The project uses mainly three sets of molecular biology/cell biology techniques
- PCR cloning: Serial deletion of 3’-UTR of Cxcl12 gene are PCR amplified from mouse mammary tumor cell 168FARN and cloned into pcDNA4-tdtomato reporter plasmid vector.
- Mouse cell culture and transfection: the cloned reporter plasmids will be transfected into mouse 168FARN cells
- FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) measurement of the expression of Cxcl12 and/or tdTomato reporter.
Student Roles & Responsibilities: The student will receive both lab safety and biosafety trainings provided by EHS before entering the lab space to participate the project. We will discuss with EHS to make sure all safety concerns are covered in the trainings the student will be receiving.
Following proper training, the student will conduct the experiment using the above techniques. The experiment will be closely monitored by supervising lab members.
Additional Considerations: The students are expected to work regular business hours during the internship.
Department/Institute: Molecular Biology
Faculty Sponsor: Yibin Kang and Ai Ing Lim
Participation Dates: July 1 - August 15, 2023.
Stipend Offered: 0
Number of Internships Available: 0-2
Application Deadline: March 15, 2023, midnight eastern daylight time