SEA-PHAGES | 2017 Summer Opportunity at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Link to this post \| posted 25 Apr, 2017 19:26
DanRussell	Summer Research Opportunity Next-generation Fluorescent Reporter Mycobacteriophages The Jacobs laboratory has innovative and multifaceted studies on the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its phages. We are seeking undergraduates who have taken the SEA-PHAGES course to work on an exciting project to generate next-generation fluorescent reporter mycobacteriophages. We have previously shown that fluorescent reporter mycobacteriophages can be used to rapidly assess drug susceptibilities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells in culture or directly from sputum samples (Jain et al., 2012 Journal of Clinical Micro. 50:1362-9). Recently, we have developed dual reporter mycobacteriophages that can be used to identify M. tuberculosis persister cells, a subpopulation of cells in a culture that are drug tolerant (Jain et al., 2016 mBio. 7 e01023-16). The summer program will focus on generating improved versions of reporter mycobacteriophages (greater sensitivity, shelf-life etc.). This experience will help students explore nuances of molecular biology and the scientific method. Students with a basic background in biology, recombinant DNA technology, and phage biology would be ideally suited for this project. The students will not need to work with virulent M. tuberculosis strains as we have developed Biosafety Level 2 strains for this project. The Jacobs Lab is located in the Price Translational Research Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1301 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY. Einstein is near the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Gardens (both ideal phage hunting areas!). The position will come with an stipend of $11,000 for 3 months. If interested, please contact Dr. William R. Jacobs at jacobsw@hhmi.org Lab webpage: http://williamrjacobs.org

Link to this post | posted 25 Apr, 2017 19:26

Summer Research Opportunity

Next-generation Fluorescent Reporter Mycobacteriophages

The Jacobs laboratory has innovative and multifaceted studies on the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its phages. We are seeking undergraduates who have taken the SEA-PHAGES course to work on an exciting project to generate next-generation fluorescent reporter mycobacteriophages.

We have previously shown that fluorescent reporter mycobacteriophages can be used to rapidly assess drug susceptibilities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells in culture or directly from sputum samples (Jain et al., 2012 Journal of Clinical Micro. 50:1362-9). Recently, we have developed dual reporter mycobacteriophages that can be used to identify M. tuberculosis persister cells, a subpopulation of cells in a culture that are drug tolerant (Jain et al., 2016 mBio. 7 e01023-16).

The summer program will focus on generating improved versions of reporter mycobacteriophages (greater sensitivity, shelf-life etc.). This experience will help students explore nuances of molecular biology and the scientific method. Students with a basic background in biology, recombinant DNA technology, and phage biology would be ideally suited for this project. The students will not need to work with virulent M. tuberculosis strains as we have developed Biosafety Level 2 strains for this project.

The Jacobs Lab is located in the Price Translational Research Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1301 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY. Einstein is near the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Gardens (both ideal phage hunting areas!).

The position will come with an stipend of $11,000 for 3 months.

If interested, please contact Dr. William R. Jacobs at jacobsw@hhmi.org
Lab webpage: http://williamrjacobs.org

Link to this post \| posted 26 Apr, 2017 19:16
wynn	Thank you for posting this great opportunity! I have a few questions: 1) What is the deadline for students to apply? 2) Are positions open to students who have completed the first semester of SEA-PHAGES, or only to those who have completed both semesters? Thank you again!

Link to this post \| posted 26 Apr, 2017 19:44
Hatfull	You may get more complete answers if you email Bill directly at jacobsw@hhmi.org. I think there is no strict deadline, but it would be good to apply soon if interested. Completing both SEA-PHAGES semesters would likely be helpful, but not an absolute requirement. Graham.

Link to this post \| posted 27 Apr, 2017 12:26
wynn	Thank you for the suggestion! I emailed Dr. Jacobs, and here are his responses: 1) There is no firm deadline, but he would like to schedule interviews within a week, so please have students submit resumes soon. 2) The position is open to students who have completed only the first semester of SEA-PHAGES.

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2017 Summer Opportunity at Albert Einstein College of Medicine