From proteins to biofilms and starfish, summer independent research gave students a head start on their senior capstone projects.

Six chemistry students, with the guidance of Assistant Professor of Chemistry Melanie Nilsson, studied how protein assembly relates to disease and material science.

Biochemistry major Kevin Flanagan ’08 characterized and formed amyloid fibril from proteins. 

Amyloid proteins are associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Type 2 Diabetes. The protein can be used to transfer energy, and nanowires made from proteins can be used in medical related computers, implant devices of therapeutic importance and other technology.

”I enjoyed the summer research,” Flanagan says. “We got to work hard and experience what lab life is like.”

Medical research was also furthered in studies performed by Biology students Kristina Belich ’08 and Chris Richards ’08, with the help of Assistant Professor of Biology Greg Szulgit. The students examined the connective tissues of starfish. The animals can make their ligaments and tendons stiff or fluid by locking and unlocking collagen. The students’ research furthers the knowledge of how humans hold fibroids together, and diseases involving human collagen.

Biology Professor Michael Brown mentored three students as they studied biofilms, the coating of bacteria that form on surfaces. Zeeshan Shaikh ’08 examined the biofilm that forms on catheters. Anja Jones ’08 formed biofilms similar to the ones in the mouth to test the effectiveness of mouthwash. And Amanda Eubank ’08 examined biofilms that occur naturally on rocks in streams.

“This is an emerging area in microbiology,” says Brown. “Doing this research provides a different way of thinking about the world. The students are creating the information themselves: from formulating questions and techniques, to designing the experiment and answering the questions. It is quite a challenge.”

A challenge Flanagan is happy to accept.

“Graduate schools look for students who have actual scientific research in their background, so it’s great experience,” he says.