Studies also include the immunohistochemical localization of the receptor molecules with specific antisera in human tissue specimens to determine their exact expression pattern in the gastrointestinal tract and other tissues. A related area of interest in Dr. Weber's laboratory involves genetic epidemiologic research studies of human genomic DNA samples for the presence of bombesin receptor defects relevant in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and obesity. Part-time volunteer position available. Initial project is to clone rat and mouse specific cDNAs of proteins implicated in heart failure and to study their expression in models of heart failure. Long-term project is to create transgenic mice with altered expression of cloned proteins for use in models of heart failure.
Position has the potential to become a funded postition.
Student should have coursework in molecular and cell biology. Students will will have the opportunity to learn cell culture, RNA isolation, RT-PCR, Northern hybridizations, RNAse protection assays, plasmid creation, bacterial transformation, and restriction enzyme analysis.