Biology Lab Course in Armenia!
Donation protected
Methods of Scientific Discovery: Host-Pathogen Interactions
Who we are:
1) Professor Raffi Aroian, PhD - University of Massachusetts Medical School - Host Immunity, pathogenesis
2) Haig Alexander Eskandarian, PhD - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - Microbiology, bacterial persistence
We are two specialists in host-pathogens interactions of Armenian-American origin, with five years' experience teaching to Armenian students at the Molecular Biology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. Our aims are to help educate the youth of Armenia interested in basic and translational scientific research.
Personally, our reasons for organizing these courses lie in the profound sense of importance to helping the communities to which we belong. We believe that educating the Armenian youth and inspiring them to become free, creative, and critical thinkers will benefit Armenian society and more importantly, the global community of scientists.
Course Summary:
The approach to scientific discovery is dependent on the critical formulation of hypotheses and testing, thereof. We seek to teach a highly motivated and talented group of six college-level students the basic approaches to conducting scientific research. Our scientific focus is on the medically relevant field of host-pathogen interactions where we incorporate aspects of our expertise of host immunology and microbiology. Our model system is comprised of one host and one pathogen: the nematode (worm) Caenorhabditis elegans acts as a unique and powerful host, infected with a transgenic form of the non-pathogenic spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, made pathogenic uniquely to nematodes by the addition of a bio-active compound from Bacillus thuringiensis, a ubiquitous soil bacterium. Together, this course will provide a starting point to spurring scientific inquiry among bright young students in Armenia interested in learning about fundamental biological research.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about the formulation of hypotheses in science
2. Learn about designing experiments to test hypotheses
3. Learn how to measure the results of the experiments
4. Interpret the impact of the experimental results
Research Objectives:
1. Study the infection process of a bacterial infection in an animal host
2. Isolate and identify (nematode-active) bacterial pathogens from the soil
3. Screen for and study the impact of antibacterial compounds on bacterial infection in a host
4. Learn the basics of genetics of host-pathogen interactions by studying the impact of bacterial mutants and host mutants on infection
Equipment Needed:
1. Autoclave (portable)
2. 37°C Shaker incubator
3. 30°C incubator
4. Dissecting microscopes
5. Spectrophotometer
6. Petri dishes
7. Compound fluorescent microscope add-ons:
A) fluorescent filter turret/wheel with blue filter - already have the red and green filters
B) Condenser for phase microscopy
C) Sample heating controller
Budget Required for Procuring Equipment not currently available in Armenia:
1. Reagents: $2000
2. Dissecting microscopes: $2000 each
3. 25°C incubator: $1000 (new)
4. Compound fluorescent microscope: $3000
5. Plane tickets, room, board: $2600 per person
For Raffi, me, and one teaching assistant, the total budget required is $20,000
Who we are:
1) Professor Raffi Aroian, PhD - University of Massachusetts Medical School - Host Immunity, pathogenesis
2) Haig Alexander Eskandarian, PhD - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - Microbiology, bacterial persistence
We are two specialists in host-pathogens interactions of Armenian-American origin, with five years' experience teaching to Armenian students at the Molecular Biology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. Our aims are to help educate the youth of Armenia interested in basic and translational scientific research.
Personally, our reasons for organizing these courses lie in the profound sense of importance to helping the communities to which we belong. We believe that educating the Armenian youth and inspiring them to become free, creative, and critical thinkers will benefit Armenian society and more importantly, the global community of scientists.
Course Summary:
The approach to scientific discovery is dependent on the critical formulation of hypotheses and testing, thereof. We seek to teach a highly motivated and talented group of six college-level students the basic approaches to conducting scientific research. Our scientific focus is on the medically relevant field of host-pathogen interactions where we incorporate aspects of our expertise of host immunology and microbiology. Our model system is comprised of one host and one pathogen: the nematode (worm) Caenorhabditis elegans acts as a unique and powerful host, infected with a transgenic form of the non-pathogenic spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, made pathogenic uniquely to nematodes by the addition of a bio-active compound from Bacillus thuringiensis, a ubiquitous soil bacterium. Together, this course will provide a starting point to spurring scientific inquiry among bright young students in Armenia interested in learning about fundamental biological research.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about the formulation of hypotheses in science
2. Learn about designing experiments to test hypotheses
3. Learn how to measure the results of the experiments
4. Interpret the impact of the experimental results
Research Objectives:
1. Study the infection process of a bacterial infection in an animal host
2. Isolate and identify (nematode-active) bacterial pathogens from the soil
3. Screen for and study the impact of antibacterial compounds on bacterial infection in a host
4. Learn the basics of genetics of host-pathogen interactions by studying the impact of bacterial mutants and host mutants on infection
Equipment Needed:
1. Autoclave (portable)
2. 37°C Shaker incubator
3. 30°C incubator
4. Dissecting microscopes
5. Spectrophotometer
6. Petri dishes
7. Compound fluorescent microscope add-ons:
A) fluorescent filter turret/wheel with blue filter - already have the red and green filters
B) Condenser for phase microscopy
C) Sample heating controller
Budget Required for Procuring Equipment not currently available in Armenia:
1. Reagents: $2000
2. Dissecting microscopes: $2000 each
3. 25°C incubator: $1000 (new)
4. Compound fluorescent microscope: $3000
5. Plane tickets, room, board: $2600 per person
For Raffi, me, and one teaching assistant, the total budget required is $20,000
Organizer
Raffi Aroian
Organizer
Worcester, MA
