CAHNRS Intern: What is the modus operandi? Characterizing the role of nematode genes in host susceptibility
Internship Title: What is the modus operandi? Characterizing the role of nematode genes in host susceptibility
Location: WSU Pullman, WA
Desired Start Date: Flexible start date; spring or summer 2023
Hours and Flexibility: The intern is expected to work part-time (~20 hrs/week) during the internship with a flexible schedule depending on the mentor and the intern understanding.
Majors: Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food Security; Agricultural and Food Systems
Position Description:
Plant parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that infect plants. The Columbia root-knot nematode (CRKN) is a nematode in Washington that causes significant crop losses. The goal of this internship project is to characterize CRKN genes involved in the plant-nematode interaction. The intern will be guided by Dr. Gleason and Dr. Bali to perform experiments with transgenic plants that express nematode genes. The intern will learn to work with DNA/RNA and measure the expression of the CRKN genes in the transgenic plants. In addition to learning molecular biology techniques, the student will learn sterile technique by working with plant tissue cultures. As part of their lab project, the intern will also perform nematode assays on the transgenic plants to investigate whether the nematode genes increase plant susceptibility to nematodes. The overarching goal of the project will be to determine if the nematode genes are promoting nematode parasitism. This information is critical as we work to understand why some plants are resistant and some plants are susceptible to nematodes. The long-term goal of the research in the Gleason lab is to develop crop plants, such as potatoes, that are resistant to CRKN.
This internship will be a great learning opportunity for a student interested in molecular biology techniques and host-pathogen interactions. The student will be working on plants and nematodes, but they will simultaneously be learning common molecular biology techniques, such as DNA/RNA extractions, PCR and gel electrophoresis that will be translatable to labs across disciplines. Moreover, the intern will engage in handling nematodes and learn a unique skill set that will set the intern apart when they enter the agricultural industry workforce. The intern will get exposed to all aspects of scientific research including experiment designing and set up, data collection, data analyses, scientific writing, and data presentation skills.
Faculty Mentor(s):
Dr. Cynthia Gleason, cynthia.gleason@wsu.edu, (509) 335-3742
Dr. Sapinder Bali, sapinder.bali@wsu.edu
Requirements:
· Students with more than 24 credits must be certified in a CAHNRS major with a cumulative GPA minimum of 2.75 to qualify for consideration.
· Students must enroll in and pay for a minimum of 1 internship credits to participate in this program during the spring or fall semester, optional if needed in summer session.
· Students also must have been enrolled at WSU consistently in previous semesters prior to beginning their internship (please contact cahnrs.majors@wsu.edu with questions)
· All participating interns and faculty mentors will follow the guidelines, reporting and assessment processes outlined in the CAHNRS Internship Information Packet available at https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2009/2022/10/CAHNRS-Internship-Handbook-2022-FINAL.pdf.
· Specific details concerning rate of pay, housing needs, start date, work hours, etc. will be determined by the faculty mentor and intern.
· Interns must agree to participate in SURCA: The WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities*. Abstracts are due in mid-February and the poster/oral presentation contest will be held in the Spring of 2024 on the Pullman campus. Off-campus students may make virtual presentations (for details see: https://surca.wsu.edu/). *Interns are obligated to participate in SURCA the following spring, if the intern has not yet graduated.