You will earn 6 research credits over 6 weeks, conducting a faculty-supervised, hands-on, directed study research projects with results that will culminate in the preparation of a research paper. You will complete a minimum of 240 hours on research in and out of the laboratory.
Faculty mentors will work closely with you to direct your continued growth and knowledge development in the chosen research topic discipline.
| Course ID | Title | Credits | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
| LONS RSLW 392S | International Independent Research in STEM Fields | 6 |
The Ikaros transcription factor is essential for lymphocyte development, yet its molecular function in regulating gene expression still remains largely unknown. This project will undertake a genetic approach by knocking out the Ikaros gene in a lymphocyte cell line using CRISPR technology then analysing the changes in expression of key lymphocyte genes.
Techniques: The student will learn many core techniques in molecular biology and protein biochemistry including PCR, recombinant DNA cloning, mammalian cell culture, and Western Blotting.
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biological Sciences
Tendon injuries occur commonly in horses. They undergo poor regeneration and have very high re-injury rates. Inflammation is believed to contribute to poor regeneration and this project will test the hypothesis that tendon cells can “remember” a previous injury-induced inflammatory event which predisposes them to re-injury.
Techniques: Cell culture, molecular biology (e.g. RNA extraction and quantitative PCR).
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biology, Molecular Biology
Fractures occur commonly in racing Thoroughbreds. The majority are caused by a failure of the bone to adapt to loading. Fracture is a complex condition with environmental and genetic risk factors. In this project we will investigate how specific genes and DNA variants contribute to fracture risk.
Techniques: Cell culture, molecular biology (e.g. RNA extraction and quantitative PCR), bioinformatics.
Two key literature references: 1. Palomino Lago E, Ross AKC, McClellan A, Guest DJ. Identification of a global gene expression signature associated with the genetic risk of catastrophic fracture in iPSC-derived osteoblasts from Thoroughbred horses. Anim Genet. 2025 Feb;56(1):e13504. doi: 10.1111/age.13504. PMID: 39801206.
Relevant Majors: Biology, Molecular Biology
Vascular calcification is a common consequence of aging and diseases such as type II diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Despite its prevalence there are currently no treatments to prevent or reverse vascular calcification. This project is part of our ongoing work to identify novel signalling systems that could be targeted therapeutically to treat this condition.
Techniques: Cell culture, biochemical assays, microscopy and imaging
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biology, Chemistry
This project focuses on amplifying and analysing immune-related genes in various wildlife species to explore genetic diversity related to disease resistance. By studying these genes, we aim to gain insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of immune responses across species and their relevance to conservation biology and disease management.
Techniques:
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biology, Genetics, Veterinary Science, Conservation Biology
The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is one of the typical signalling pathways that affects oocyte developmental competence and regulates embryo development in most species. One important feature of embryo development in some mammalian species including bovine is elongation of embryos to provide extended surface area for establishment of pregnancy and placentation. The actual mechanism of embryo elongation is not known. Interestingly, elongation of cow embryos does not happen during in vitro culture. Recent research has revealed the stimulatory effect of inhibiting Wnt signalling on proliferation of the trophectoderm (TE) cells of the blastocyst embryos. Using IVM/F/C techniques which are well-established in my lab and treatment of embryos with a negative regulator of Wnt signalling, this project aims to analyse the impact on TE cells growth and embryo elongation.
Techniques: Understanding reproductive cycle of cows, collecting oocytes from cow ovaries, assessment of oocyte quality, in vitro maturation and fertilisation and production of embryos (IVM/F/C), assessing embryo quality (morphological and after differential staining of ICM and TE cells in blastocysts).
Two key literature references:.
Zhang P, Zhang H, Li C, Yang B, Feng X, Cao J, Du W, Shahzad M, Khan A, Sun SC, Zhao X. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Mar 31;25(7):3912. doi: 10.3390/ijms25073912
Amaral TF, Gonella-Diaza A, Heredia D, Melo GD, Estrada-Cortés E, Jensen LM, Pohler K, Hansen PJ. Biol Reprod. 2022 Oct 11;107(4):945-955. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioac128.
The epicardium, the outermost layer of the heart, becomes activated following cardiac injury. During this response, epicardial cells proliferate and undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EpiMT). Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, we generated epicardial cells deficient in neuropilins, receptors that are upregulated after zebrafish cardiac cryoinjury. Through qPCR and Western blot analyses, you will help us investigate the signaling pathways regulating EpiMT to determine whether neuropilins serve as key modulators of this process.
Techniques: Western blotting, qPCR, Fluorescent cell imaging
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biological sciences
Kidney disease is often accompanied by an inflammatory response characterised by leukocyte infiltration and subsequent fibrosis, which results in kidney damage and correlates with declining renal function. This project will investigate inflammatory markers in healthy kidneys and kidneys affected by chronic kidney disease.
Techniques: Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, imaging, data analysis.
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Chemistry, Biology
Ageing-related tendon degeneration is common in horses and humans but is challenging to treat. Our research group aims to develop better treatments through understanding the contribution of microvascular cells to age-related tendon degeneration. To do this, we will investigate age-related changes in the vascular network within equine tendon tissues and employ immunofluorescence staining to visualise and characterise specific target proteins involved in vascular degeneration.
Techniques: Immunofluorescent staining, microscopy
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biology, Biomedical Science
The metabolic microenvironment associated with diabetes (hyperglycaemia/hyperlipidaemia) significantly impinges on vascular cell function in organs such as the heart and skeletal muscle, ultimately compromising their function. The molecular mechanisms underpinning this dysfunction are still not well established. This project will contribute to filling this knowledge gap through investigating mechanisms of vascular cell dysfunction driven by metabolic stress.
Techniques: The student will have an opportunity to experience cell culture, molecular (qPCR), and biochemical (metabolic readouts) techniques, as well as the opportunity to develop skills in microscopy.
Two key literature references:
Relevant Majors: Biological Science, Biology, Chemistry
The following information is vetted and provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) on the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).
| Percentage | Description | U.S. Equivalent |
| 70 – 100% | First Class | A |
| 60 – 69% | Second Class Upper | B+ |
| 50 – 59% | Second Class Lower | B |
| 40 – 49% | Third Class/Pass | C |
| 0 – 39% | Fail | F |