Faculty and Student Teams Program

Study of Complex Traits of Recombinant Inbred (RI) Strains of Mice

Requesting applications from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology to work on the following projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Project Description

Program participants will conduct research with recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice that represent a powerful resource for the study of complex traits. In particular, the ability to integrate genotype data with physiological traits and gene expression creates the ability to identify gene networks that underlie a trait and control susceptibility to diseases such as type II diabetes. A team is needed to continue collection of physiological data relevant to obesity and type II diabetes from a panel of RI strains of mice, and from the collaborative cross, an emerging set of RI strains created from 8 parental genomes. Initial studies with these two mouse populations demonstrate a marked degree of heritability for adiposity, fasting glucose and other relevant phenotypes. The goals of this project are to collect data for a mapping study that will identify genomic regions that control adiposity; plasma insulin, adiponectin, leptin and angiotensin II metabolic response to cold stress, adipocyte size, fasting glucose, and expression of genes in the angiotensin II pathway. The ideal team will have experience handling and dissecting mice and with metabolic studies such as the response to cold stress, knowledge of complex mouse genetics, comfort with molecular biology tools, and an interest in understanding the nature of complex traits.

Laboratory Contact: Brynn Voy, voybh@ornl.gov

Applicants’ Responsibilities and Relationship to Project

Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at the Laboratory for up to 10 weeks during the summer of 2008. The exact appointment period in the time frame of June to August will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the host divisions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the successful applicant. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their campuses to participate in the FaST program. The faculty member will provide some mentorship to students during the summer research activities. The faculty and students must participate as a group and serve their appointments concurrently. It is expected that the faculty member and the students become an integral part of the research team working on this project and that opportunities for continued collaboration may be identified.

Qualifications of Ideal Candidate

Faculty: Ability and experience in writing scientific manuscripts would be a plus.

Support and Financial Commitments

The successful candidate will receive a stipend based on the academic salary, travel expenses to and from the Laboratory, and a housing allowance. Students recommended by the faculty member for participation in the program will receive a stipend of $400/week for each week at the Laboratory, plus a housing allowance, and reimbursement for transportation expenses to and from the ORNL. Funds are provided for this program from the US Department of Energy, Office of Science in partnership with the National Science Foundation, from ORNL, and from other sources.

See Financial Information.