Path 1 Research Series | Microbiology Immunology & Molecular Genetics

Path 1 Series Overview

Path 1 is an authentic research experience in which students participate in all aspects of the scientific process, from sample collection through preparation of data for publication.

Activities span two consecutive quarters with each Research Immersion Lab followed by an Advanced Research Analysis course (BL).

The first course (103AL or 109AL) offers hands-on experience collecting data, analyzing preliminary results, and reading the scientific literature. Students choose to enroll in one of two laboratory courses referred to as Research Immersion Labs (course AL). The process of discovery is demonstrated through a guided, inquiry-based experience organized around team research projects.
The second course (103BL or 109BL) emphasizes rigorous quantitative and computational analysis of data, oral presentation and discussion of research ideas, and written documentation of research accomplishments. Students present their findings as a team at MIMG's Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium at the end of the second course/second quarter of Path 1.
Students will complete one Path 1 series total (either MIMG 103AL + MIMG 103BL -or- MIMG 109AL + MIMG 109BL) to complete MIMG's research requirement.
Students admitted to Path 2 may not enroll in Path 1 courses, and students enrolled in Path 1 courses may not be admitted to Path 2.

MIMG 103AL & MIMG 103BL: Virology Research Immersion Series

In 103AL/BL, students collect samples from natural environments and design experiments to discover and characterize novel bacterial viruses (phages). Students then sequence and annotate the genomes of the phages they discover, and perform comparative genomics analyses. This is an authentic research experience in which students participate in all aspects of the scientific process, from sample collection through preparation of data for publication.

MIMG 103AL: Research Immersion Lab in Virology

Working in teams, students conduct self-directed research projects that incorporate techniques in microbiology, virology, and molecular biology in order to characterize the life cycle and phage-host dynamics of the phages they isolate. Students get to name their phages and select which phages are the best candidates for whole-genome sequence analysis.

The emphasis of this course is on reading and understanding scientific literature as well as improving critical thinking skills such as ability to evaluate hypotheses or experimentally address scientific questions. Class activities also highlight critical aspects of the research process, including record keeping, ethics, laboratory safety and citizenry, mechanics of scientific writing, and project responsibilities and ownership. In addition, students are introduced to the use of bioinformatics tools and computational analysis software necessary to genomic analyses.

MIMG 103BL: Advanced Research Analysis in Virology

In 103BL, students use bioinformatics and/or mathematical modeling software to interpret, expand, or refine the genome annotations of the phages isolated in MIMG 103AL for comparative genome analyses. The final deliverable is a fully annotated phage genome ready for publication to Genbank, with the students as submission authors.

Students learn to use graphics software to prepare figures and illustrations for presentations, posters, reports, and websites (database entries). Primary literature is discussed in Journal Club-style meetings in which students create PowerPoint slides and formally present results to the class. Production of a research seminar presentation, team poster, and final report describing the entire research project are required to complete the two-course series.

MIMG 109AL & MIMG 109BL: Microbiology Research Immersion Series

In 109AL/BL, students investigate the microbiomes of natural environments, asking the questions “Who’s there?” and “What are they doing there?” by isolating and performing functional characterization on bacteria from different samples, as well as using metagenomics to compare community and functional profiles. This is an authentic research experience in which students participate in all aspects of the scientific process, from sample collection through preparation of data for publication.

MIMG 109AL: Research Immersion Lab in Microbiology

Working in teams, students conduct self-directed research projects designed to promote discovery of novel microorganisms involved in antibiotic production and resistance, plant growth promotion, biofuel production, and other scientifically relevant questions. Student research projects incorporate techniques in microbiology and molecular biology and involve use of bioinformatics tools and phylogenetics software for data analysis.

MIMG 109BL: Advanced Research Analysis in Microbiology

In 109BL, students use bioinformatics and/or mathematical modeling software to interpret, expand, or refine datasets generated in MIMG 109AL. Students generate 16S phylogenetic trees to assign identities to their isolates and use statistical tools to make comparisons of the microbial communities from different environments. The final deliverables are 16S sequences ready for publication to Genbank, with the students as submission authors.