This summer I expect to have a fulfilling time in the Phillip Benfey lab at Duke University. Since I was a child I was always interested in science. I thought it answered a great many questions I had about the world, biology specifically pertaining to the study of living things. Therefore, Being able to become a part of the Howard Hughes Research program was both a humbling and exciting experience. I feel that the program will allow me to learn a huge amount of information about research in general and about cell maturation in plant roots.
From what I have learned so far spending time with the wonderful researchers of the Phillip Benfey lab I expect to obtain a great introduction to researching. One of the huge aspects of modern research as I have observed is the various technology used to manipulate and observe in the lab efficiently. For example, I was introduced to tools such as the micropipette and PCR machine that are used to handle minute amounts of solutions and amplify a DNA sequence respectively. These tools as well as well as many different techniques such as sterilizing and plating seeds or doing gel electrophoresis, are very helpful in conducting various experiments. This summer I hope to become acquainted with a handful of these tools and techniques.
Over the summer in addition to learning general information about how to conduct research, I also intend to learn more about the research in the Phillip Benfey lab. The lab aims to understand what happens after a stem cell has divided in order to give rise to a differentiated cell. In order to successfully ponder this question I plan to become more acquainted with the anatomy of the Arabidopsis Thaliana plant, more specifically the roots where they are located. My hope is that through observing the affect of certain transcription factors on the anatomy I will be able to see a glimpse of how the cells differentiate.
I am very hopeful for my experience this summer. I am excited to learn more and I see myself having a fulfilling time.
