Information for Students Interested in Doing Research in the Laboratory of Drs. Hill and Jackson-Hayes

What Students Can Expect To Be Doing

The goal of this research project is to better understand the processes by which fungal cells grow and divide.  The work employs a wide range of molecular, cellular, and microbiological research techniques, and students can expect to be centrally involved in all aspects of the work.

Research approaches used in the lab include engineering DNA constructs, which are then used to alter expression of specific genes in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans (via gene deletion or promoter replacement) or to produce "tagged" proteins, which can be localized within the fungal cells using fluorescence microscopy.   Other students are engaged primarily in evaluating protein-protein interactions using strategies of yeast-two-hybrid analysis and co-immunoprecipitation.  Students joining the project without prior lab experience normally begin by assisting a more experienced student in his or her own work, before receiving projects of their own.

Students working on this project can expect to gain skills in basic molecular techniques including gene cloning, PCR, restriction digestions, DNA isolation, cell transformation, electrophoresis, western blotting, etc.   In addition, all students acquire skills in microbial culture and aseptic technique.   Finally, as students achieve more independence and experience, they are entrusted with roles in the actual design of their experiments, including use of on-line resources to design cloning and PCR strategies, design of breeding strategies for producing experimental strains, etc.

Plating Transformed Yeast Cells in a Yeast-Two-Hybrid Qnalysis

Preparation of a Western Blot Membrane

Extracting Proteins for Co-Immunoprecipitation

Localizing GFP-tagged Proteins in Cells

Preparing a Polymerase Chain Reaction

Transforming Fungal Cells

Isolating plasmid DNA

Testing Mutant Phenotypes

Clicking here will take you to the names, photos, and personal information of all the students who have worked on the Aspergillus project since its beginning.

Public Presentation

Student research is expected to result in public presentation.   In addition to presenting work at Rhodes' annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Symposium (Rhodes Research Symposium), students working in this laboratory have also presented their results at regional professional meetings (e.g., SERYM - the Southeastern Regional Yeast Meetings), as well as at research conferences of national professional societies such as the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), or the Mycological Society of America.

Sinclare Harvey and Maitree Patel Compass High School and Melrose High School 2022 Community Exhibition of High School Research Benjamn L. Hooks Library, Memphis, TN

Rhodes Contingent 2019 ASBMB Meeting (Orlando, FL)

Maleiah Carrol, Alexis Craft, and Yahya Hameed 2019 ASBMB Meeting (Orlando, FL)

Zoe Brookover, Rachel Ward, and Lauren Rowland 2019 ASBMB Meeting (Orlando, FL)

Uchenna, Mac, Spencer, Lauren, Ash, Liz, Brianna, Lynsey, & Jo 2018 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Uchenna Ugwu 2018 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Mac Williamson, Lauren Rowland, Spencer Beckman 2018 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Caylon Pettis and Mac Williamson Rhodes Research Symposium 2017

Spencer Beckman, Lauren Rowland, and Peter Daniels Rhodes Research Symposium 2017

Kristen Wendt First Place Presentation 2014 Tenn. Acad. Sciences Meeting

Kristen Wendt 2012 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Xiao Wang 2012 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Tyra Hayes 2010 ABRCMS Meeting (Charlotte, NC)

Jordan Henley (2nd from left) Second Place Division Award 2011 Emerging Researchers National Conference (Washington, DC)

Jackie Ward 2010 SERYM Conference (Little Rock, AR)

Chassidy Groover, Erinn Ogburn, and Laura Johnson 2010 ASBMB Meeting (Anaheim, CA)

Erinn Ogburn & John Musgrove Honorable Mention Undergraduate Poster 2009 ASBMB Meeting (New Orleans, LA)

John Musgrove, Laura Johnson, Chassidy Groover, Erinn Ogburn, and Ke Shang 2009 ASBMB Meeting (New Orleans, LA)

Barrie Gordon 2008 ASBMB Meeting (San Diego, CA)

Sarah Mercer 2006 SERYM Conference (Hattiesburg, MS))

Valencia Smith 2006 SERYM Conference (Hattiesburg, MS)

Annette, Lauren, Caroline, and Loretta 2005 SERYM Conference (Atlanta, Georgia)

Caroline Sartain 2005 Internat. Union of Microbiol. Sci. (San Francisco, CA)

Lauren Fay (Outstanding Undergrad. Presentation) 2004 SERYM Conference (Memphis, TN)

Stanley Vance 2004 Mycological Society of America (Asheville, NC)

Rhodes Contingent (Including Members of Mary Miller's Lab) 2003 SERYM Conference (Birmingham, AL)

In addition, several students have been co-authors of refereed publications (See lists of publications on the Lab Homepage )

Application To Work In This Lab

Students wishing to apply for a research position in this laboratory should speak with either Dr. Hill or Dr. Jackson-Hayes.

Although previous coursework in Genetics or Molecular Biology will be of advantage to students beginning work on this project, we are also prepared to accept highly motivated students having other backgrounds.  The basic experimental methods of this work can be learned on the job if you bring with you a high level of curiosity, good laboratory habits, and a very responsible attitude towards your work.

In selecting students for research positions, those students who have a sincere interest in pursuing a career in biological research will be considered most highly.  Preference will also be given to those students who expect to be able to continue their work beyond the initial involvement.

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