9322342 Blanton This award provides funds to the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University to establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site. The goal of this project is to involve undergraduate students in basic research in plant biology. Students often have an inherent bias towards research involving animals. This program will try and overcome this bias by presenting the students with the opportunity to participate in a plant-focused program involving a variety of disciplines, approaches, and techniques. Eleven plant scientists in three department have volunteered to serve as mentors. They included biochemists, cell biologists, developmental biologists, molecular biologists, physiologists and systematists. Opportunities exist for both field-oriented and laboratory- oriented research. Available research techniques include DNA sequencing, protein electrophoresis and immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, light and electron microscopy, in situ hybridation, analysis of genomes using PCR-based methods, isozyme analysis, spectrophotometric analysis of enzyme activities, plant tissue culture, plant transformations, and a variety of molecular biological methods. Aspects of the program that should enhance its potential for success include: (1) a group orientation session in which the students will learn basic laboratory skills, engage in radiation and chemical safety training, and be introduced to using the library to find scientific literature; (2) an effort to develop student camaraderie by presenting the students with the opportunity to participate in group activities with the other plant biology students as well as a larger group of biology undergraduate research students; and (3) the provision by a related program of funds for quests speakers in the plant sciences, student travel funds to attend meetings, and student research supply funds. ***
