Chandra Lab

PIs
Bharatendu Chandra

Project Details

The Chandra lab is seeking a motivated undergraduate student wanting to be involved with clinical translational research. The Undiagnosed Disease Program (UDP) is a hybrid clinical and research-based model built to serve UIHC medical genetics patients with undiagnosed rare diseases. The objectives of the UDP are to:

• Improve diagnostic accuracy and care for patients with undiagnosed diseases in the State of Iowa.
• Rapidly implement research using advanced multiomics based approaches to identify molecular etiology of undiagnosed diseases.
• Gene discovery and functional characterization of genetic variants.
• Identifying biochemical and cellular pathways amenable to broad-scope drug repurposing and personalized molecular therapeutics.
• Foster an integrated and collaborative research community with an end goal of improved patient management.

The role of the undergraduate student will be to assist UDP researchers with the management of patient-derived cell lines and to then use these cell lines for functional characterization of candidate disease-causing genes and pathways. Students from historically excluded or underrepresented populations (https://diversity.nih.gov/about-us/population-underrepresented) are especially encouraged to apply.

What this research training offers:

• Acquire experience in cell culture and molecular biology techniques.
• Build an understanding of the translational research pipeline from basic research to patient treatment.
• Refine your skills in experimental design and execution.
• An opportunity for the motivated student to receive mentorship while conducting self-directed research.

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or microbiology
• Attention to detail and organization.
• Experience with PCR, RT-qPCR, and/or ELISA (preferred).

Compensation

Volunteer (Optional registration for URES:3992, 0-credit transcript recognition)

Start Date

Near future, Spring semester

Timeline

Ongoing, Potential to be a continuous position

How to Apply

Please email your CV or résumé to seth-borrowman@uiowa.edu and bharatendu-chandra@uiowa.edu along with a brief statement describing your interest in the project and relevant coursework.