CURE Examples
Discipline
Core Competencies
Nature of Research
CURE Duration
Results 1 - 4 of 4 matches
The Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Plant Growth and Herbivory
Erin Rehrig, Fitchburg State University
In this CURE, students will conduct experiments to determine the effects of silver nanoparticles on plant growth and insect herbivory. Students will synthesize their own nanoparticles and treat Arabididopsis plants with them. After 5 weeks, insects (Pieris rapae, caterpillars) will be placed on plants and insect herbivory will be assessed across treatments. Insects will be weighted before and after feeding assays. Plant growth rates and insect herbivory measurements will be done using digital photography and image analysis using MathLab.
Nature of Research: Basic Research
State: Massachusetts
Target Audience: Major, Upper Division
CURE Duration: A full term
Population Biology of the Gulls of Appledore
Sarah Courchesne, Northern Essex Community College
For more than 10 years, data has been collected on the breeding population of herring and great black-backed gulls on Appledore Island in Maine. The resulting dataset is massive, including morphometrics, family histories, breeding success, total population, and many other parameters. While a small number of students are able to visit the island each year to assist in data collection and sampling, this CURE democratizes biology research, and invites an entire classroom of students to investigate their own questions. Students will process the most recent set of samples collected the previous summer, performing DNA sexing and blood smear analysis, and will additionally pursue their own research questions regarding either the existing data, the samples, or both.
Core Competencies: Analyzing and interpreting data, Planning and carrying out investigations, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Nature of Research: Wet Lab/Bench Research, Basic Research
State: Massachusetts
Target Audience: Major, Non-major
CURE Duration: A full term
Cell Biology of Tetrahymena thermophila Mutants
Carolyn Wetzel, Holyoke Community College
Tetrahymena thermophila is a widely used model system for studying eukaryotic cell biology. In collaboration with a lead researcher at a different institution, students in this CURE will characterize mutants of Tetrahymena to screen for possible effects of different mutations on basic cell functions such as cell morphology, cilia action, phagocytosis, growth and development, energetics, and response to different stimuli. Student results will be sent to the lead researcher to be incorporated into their larger project and it is expected that any significant student contribution will lead to authorship or acknowledgement in a publication.
Core Competencies: Analyzing and interpreting data, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Planning and carrying out investigations, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
Nature of Research: Basic Research, Wet Lab/Bench Research
State: Massachusetts
Target Audience: Introductory, Major
CURE Duration: A full term