Mentor Areas
Our research interests include:
- Airway cell biology and physiology
- Extra-oral taste receptors
- Regulation of motile cilia
- Epithelial ion transport and fluid secretion
- Bicarbonate secretion
- Innate immunity
- Cell metabolism
Description:
Our lab primarily studies the physiology of taste receptors in airway cells, including how these receptors detect bitter bacterial products to stimulate innate immune responses as well as how they detect nutrients to regulate airway cell metabolism. We have close ties with rhinologist surgeons within the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, and thus much of our basic science research is strongly clinically-focused. We use a combination of live-cell fluorescence imaging along with biochemistry and molecular biology techniques. Potential projects would involve studying how taste receptors signal (through calcium, cyclic-AMP, nitric oxide, etc.) and what responses they activate (cell proliferation, antimicrobial responses, etc.). We also study the interactions of airway pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with primary human airway cells. Microbiology-related projects (bacterial cell growth, bacterial killing assays, biofilm formation assays, etc.) could also be available. A growing focus of the lab is also airway cancer cell proliferation and metabolism, and thus cancer-related projects may also be available.
Type of position will be strongly dependent on time-commitment and needs of the lab.
Preferred Qualifications
Students will preferably have a strong background in introductory-level biology as well as a strong interest in cell biology or cell physiology. We would be willing to work with students after two or more semesters of biology-related coursework.
Students must be interested in learning more about laboratory research and are expected to be serious, dedicated, and willing to take direction. Students are also expected to be friendly and collegial. Training will be provided, but an ability to learn new techniques sufficiently to carry them out independently is a must.
Project Website
Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here.
Lee Lab(link is external)
Details:
Preferred Student Year
Second-Year, Junior, Senior
Academic Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.