Courses

You will earn 6 research credits over 6 weeks, conducting 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.

• Make sure your courses transfer back for credit with your home school – this is your responsibility.

Choosing Your Research Project

• Review Project titles and descriptions below.
• List 3 (in order of preference) in your Academic Preferences Form, using GLAS as the course code.
• Program is highly individualized, with limited enrollment.
• You will need to complete a brief Literature Review in consultation with your research supervisor prior to departure before the start of the program. More details here.
• We encourage you to contact Arcadia’s Associate Dean of Academic Access and Curricular Solutions, Rob Hallworth, to discuss your particular research interests further.

Requirements of entry to Life Science Projects:

• Eligible students must have ideally completed 2nd year of the Undergraduate Degree, majoring in a Biological Science. A good grasp of written and verbal English is required. A GPA of 3.0 for American Students or a B grade average equivalent. Students having completed their first year of undergraduate studies may be considered for entry, this will be at the course convenors discretion.
• Background knowledge of microbiological, molecular and microscopy techniques is desirable but not essential, training can be provided.

Requirements of entry to Chemistry projects:

• Majoring in Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Applicants should normally have successfully completed their sophomore year.

Requirements of entry to Psychology projects:

• Eligible students must have ideally completed 2nd year of the Undergraduate Degree, majoring in Psychology.
• Students having completed their first year of undergraduate studies may be considered for entry, this will be at the course convenors discretion.

Summer 2025 Research Projects

Mesophiles and Thermophiles in the Urban Environment.

The project will use conventional microbiological techniques to sample from a range of urban environments that present thermal challenge and seek out mesophilic and thermophilic organisms able to survive and grow in these conditions. The properties of these bacteria will be analysed and identification will be attempted by sequencing of the 16s rRNA gene. Students on the project will develop skills in microbiology and molecular biology, in addition the project will offer substantial opportunity for independent investigation.

Bacteria in Freshwater: A Historical Record of Past Pollution?

The aim of this project will be to characterize the bacteria of faecal origin in a local watercourse, to establish which indicator organisms are present, determine if any are pathogenic to humans, and then to attempt detection of bacteriophage. Students on the project will develop skills in environmental monitoring, microbiology and molecular biology.

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism for Genetic Screens

The aim of this project will be to establish an experimental system with C. elegans using a forward genetic approach. Using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), a mutagen that induces direct mutations in DNA, such as missense and nonsense mutations, you will screen populations of C. elegans looking for any phenotypic changes that may be biologically interesting and attempt to further characterize the mutants. In addition, C. elegans is an excellent model organism for the study of addiction to compounds such as alcohol and caffeine, areas that can also be investigated during the project. Students on the project will develop skills including: genetic crossing using a model organism, independent experimental design and execution, critical thinking, data analysis and interpretation, time management, scientific writing and communication.

Genetic Engineering for Agriculture in a Changing Climate

One significant outcome of current climate change models is that agriculturally important species will become more susceptible to devastating diseases, leading to impacts on food supply. The aim of this project will be to investigate the regulation of plasmodesmata which are involved in the spread of disease from cell to cell in plants. The student will investigate how different environmental conditions (temperature, light, water levels etc) affect the expression of genes which control cell to cell movement via the plasmodesmata. Students on the project will develop skills in experimental design, molecular biology, cell biology and fluorescence microscopy.

Supramolecular Preconcentrators

Supervisor: Dr Alex Loch 

This project focuses on developing supramolecular preconcentrators—devices designed to capture, concentrate, and release chemical vapors for later identification. Constructed from a supramolecular scaffold structure, these preconcentrators function like “sponges,” absorbing hazardous chemicals from the environment for subsequent release and detection. The project will involve evaluating various preconcentrator materials to assess their efficiency and suitability for concentrating 'real-world' hazardous chemicals.

Steroid Targets: New Sensor Combinations

Supervisor: Dr Will Peveler 

The project will involve building and screening new sensor combinations for a variety of steroid targets, and the researcher will receive hands-on training and experience with state-of-the-art automated and high-throughput pipetting and measurement (fluorescence plate reading) systems. The researcher will then undertake the statistical analysis (as well as machine learning) on the output data (Excel, JMP, and related packages). There is also scope for undertaking a degree of modelling of the supramolecular system (in MATLAB) as well as some chemical synthesis to create new fluorophores to be included in the sensing system.

Single Molecule Spectroscopy of Light Emitting Polymers

Supervisor: Dr Gordon Hedley

Watching Energy Flow in Single Chains: In this project you will work in our optical lab to measure the light emitted by single polymer chains on our microscope. By measuring the photons one by one, the quantum behaviour of the excited states can be observed and how they move along the chain and interact with each other.

Bicyclic Peptides

Supervisor: Prof Andrew Jamieson 

Bicyclic peptides are commonplace in nature, often exhibiting unique therapeutic advantages over non- and mono-cyclic peptides. It is well known that the cyclization of peptides improves a broad range of pharmacokinetics, helping to improve the drug properties of peptide molecules. The focus of our work is to examine and compare linear and singular cyclized triazole containing peptides, with bicyclic cyclised triazole peptides. Specifically, we will be employing a completely novel bicyclic tethering methodology, promising to produce exciting and interesting results. Upon completion of peptide synthesis, we will be investigating the effect this added structural rigidity has on peptide activity, stability and secondary structure.

Gels for Encapsulation and Release

Supervisor: Prof Dave Adams

We are investigating the use of gels formed by the self-assembly of small peptides to trap and protect a range of active molecules. We can then release the active molecule mechanically by pressing through a syringe filter. This traps the gel network, but releases the trapped molecule. Here we will examine how effective this method is for encapsulating new types of species. The project will involve the preparation and characterization of gels using rheology, as well as monitoring the efficiency of release using spectroscopic methods such as UV-Vis.

Color Changing/Chromic Film Testing

Supervisor: Prof Emily Draper

We are working on color changing or chromic films made from small self-assembling dyes. These materials are aiming to replace metal-based alternatives in applications such as Smart Windows, sensors, privacy glass and displays. The project will look at synthesizing these materials in water, preparing thin films and testing their chromic behaviour in different temperatures and humidity conditions. This data is vital in the performance of the materials and is a key indicator of how they will work in the real world.

Grade Scale for University of Glasgow - AACRAO EDGE

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COPYRIGHT AACRAO EDGE