This award provides funds to continue a successful Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site program in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The program is designed to provide research opportunities for students from primarily undergraduate institutions. The Department will work in partnership with a select group of such schools, including three minority institutions and a women's college, to provide their students the kind of research experience only available at a major comprehensive research university. This REU program will also complement and partially supplement an internship program for MU students funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This program follows the successful completion of a Summer 1990 prototype project, funded by the University and a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and 1991 and 1992 NSF-REU site grants. Faculty participant's research programs center on the theme "Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Approaches to Biological Problems," and utilize methodology ranging from recombinant DNA technology, to immunocytochemistry, to sophisticated electrophysiology. All participating faculty are personally involved in their research projects, are well-funded, and have a history of successful partnerships with undergraduate interns. The research experience is the cornerstone of the summer program. Multiple and varied opportunities will be provided for the students to develop their communication skills, and mentors will help students present their research at local and regional scientific meetings. Finally, a number of enrichment activities have been developed including seminars by research faculty, informal evening programs, and a panel discussion on graduate schools.