Date Completed: 2/7/08
Faculty Name: Dale Benos, Ph.D.
UAB Department: Physiology and Biophysics
UAB School: Medicine/Denistry
Campus Address: MCLM 704
Campus Zip: 0005
Telephone: 934-6220
Email Address: benos@uab.edu
Fax: 934-2377
Research Program Area: Neuro-Oncology
Project Title: Determinants of ASIC2 Trafficking to the Plasma Membrane in Gliomas
Project Status: Already up-and-running
Proposed Start Date: June 1
Proposed End Date: August 9
Number of Weeks of Internship: 10
Number of Interns: 1
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help supervise intern: Catherine Fuller, Ph.D.
Expected Number of Work Hours Per Week: 37.5 hours
Expected Work Schedule for Intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule
Category of Research: Laboratory Research
Cancer Research: Brain
Project Description: Brain tumor cells face unique challenges in metastasis and proliferation due to the confines of their physical environment. In our laboratory we have identified a novel sodium channel that facilitates both proliferation and migration in tumor cells. This channel is active in brain tumor cells because one critical subunit, ASIC2, is missing from the assembled channel complex. The proposed research project will focus on identifying peptide domains that regulate trafficking of ASIC2 to the cell surface using techniques of molecular and cellular biology. The overall goal is to develop targets that will promote ASIC2 incorporation into the glioma channel.
Intern's Anticipated Duties:
Duty 1: Design experiments
Duty 2: Analyze data
Duty 3: Prepare reagents, culturing cells, prepare presentation for Medical Student Research Day
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following: office or desk space; computer and printer; laboratory work bench space; equipment needed to complete project; supplies needed to complete project
Likelihood of authoring publications: Very Likely
Background, education, experience, or expertise preferred: Just the willingness to learn
This faculty member will be a CaRES Preceptor for the first time.
Intern 1: John Huggins