Research Focus
Our lab studies microbial metabolisms and their influence on biogeochemical cycling using an interdisciplinary approach. We apply the knowledge we gain to generate new ways of addressing issues such as the energy crisis, climate change, pollution, human health, sustainability and the circular economy. Each summer we create a vibrant international community of students ranging from high-school level to senior scientists to work on a variety of projects. This coming summer we plan to focus on a mix of field work with lab-based work on microbial climate solutions.
- Project 1 – Isolating phototrophic microbes from Missouri Wetlands, followed by genome sequencing, microbial characterization and initial synthetic biology tool development.
- Project 2 – Synthetic biology on an emerging set of model photosynthetic microbes isolated from various environments to increase carbon sequestration and carbon negative/neutral product formation.
Skills, Techniques, Methods
Our team members will participate in a variety of activities related to:
- Field sampling at Missouri Wetlands in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation, US Department of Agriculture and US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Molecular biology
- Computational biology
- Synthetic biology
Research Conditions
Over the course of a typical 10-week summer program, our lab will perform field work (10%), computational work (20%) and lab work mostly using molecular biological and microbiological approaches (80%). Students will be engaged in the activities that excite them the most as the lab’s philosophy around research is to choose one’s own adventure.
Team Structure and Opportunities
Our lab is a vibrant, international, and diverse community. Each summer we bring in even more students as visitors from other countries as well as from different areas locally. The students work closely with lab manager, Tahina Onina Ranaivoarisoa as well as all lab members based on scientific needs. Often we have students who return to the lab every summer.
Arpita Bose is the principal investigator and meets students at least once a week for short meetings to give students some face time and learn about their experience. The students present a final presentation to the lab, and we celebrate the end of their lab visit with a yearly summer party. Some students also present their research at the undergraduate research symposium. Additionally, some students return to the lab during the semester to continue their summer research during the school year. Most write a senior thesis and publish other papers with the lab. Arpita remains a lifelong letter writer for every student.
