Classroom-Based Research Experiences to Support Underserved STEM Student Success: From Introductory Inquiry to Optogenetics in the Embryonic Chicken.

In order to help overcome barriers to success for undergraduate STEM students from disadvantaged backgrounds, we developed two classroom-based research experiences (REs), (CL) and the (SRI). These REs were implemented over a two-year period (2014-2015) for regional community college students as part of the Southern Illinois Bridges to the Baccalaureate (SI Bridges) program. CL and SRI, broadly centered in biomedical sciences research, are designed to be offered in tandem.

Optogenetic regulation of leg movement in midstage chick embryos through peripheral nerve stimulation.

Numerous disorders that affect proper development, including the structure and function of the nervous system, are associated with altered embryonic movement. Ongoing challenges are to understand in detail how embryonic movement is generated and to understand better the connection between proper movement and normal nervous system function. Controlled manipulation of embryonic limb movement and neuronal activity to assess short- and long-term outcomes can be difficult.

Mutations in alpha-tubulin promote basal body maturation and flagellar assembly in the absence of delta-tubulin.

We have isolated suppressors of the deletion allele of delta-tubulin, uni3-1, in the biflagellate green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The deletion of delta-tubulin produces cells that assemble zero, one or two flagella and have basal bodies composed primarily of doublet rather than triplet microtubules. Flagellar number is completely restored in the suppressed strains.