| Affiliations: | STEM Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Siara Rouzer srouzer@tamu.edu Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics |
| Faculty Mentor: | Rajesh Miranda, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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TBA |
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Team Size:
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5
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| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Students who are particularly engaged and show initiative will have opportunities to attend and present at conferences, earn co-authorship on a publication, and receive training in professional development topics like science writing, statistical analyses, networking within science & medicine, and more.
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Team Needs:
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Mouse handing (mandatory, training will be provided to students before starting in the lab)Tissue dissection/handling (optional opportunity for a few students)Time Management (can regularly uphold a schedule, independently meet their responsibilities without excess oversight)Working as a TeamCritical Thinking |
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Description:
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As of Fall, 2023, we will be finishing a project in which pregnant mice were exposed to alcohol and/or a synthetic cannabinoid (a component of cannabis/marijuana products) during the second-trimester equivalent. Their offspring are currently aging into adulthood to be tested for effects on locomotor behavior (hyperactivity and coordination) as well as for increased disposition to develop an alcohol-use disorder (assessing alcohol consumption in a variety of tests).After behavioral testing, mouse brain tissue will be dissection to assess protein levels and gene expression. Recruited students will learn to independently perform behavioral assessments, and can further engage in tissue dissections and assessments, depending upon their comfort and desired contributions to the project. Pending good progress and interest during the Fall, recruited students may engage in the spring semester in a new project, investigating paternal alcohol consumption in offspring alcohol-seeking behaviors. |