2023 Research Projects

Projects are posted below; new projects will continue to be posted. To learn more about the type of research conducted by undergraduates, view the archived symposium booklets and search the past SURF projects.

This is a list of research projects that may have opportunities for undergraduate students. Please note that it is not a complete list of every SURF project. Undergraduates will discover other projects when talking directly to Purdue faculty.

You can browse all the projects on the list or view only projects in the following categories:


Genetics (2)

 

EMBRIO Institute - Establish Calcium Reporter Zebrafish Lines 

Description:
EMBRIO Institute has an opening in the Zhang lab in the Comparative Pathobiology department for a SURF student to work on establishing calcium reporter zebrafish genetic lines. The student will learn more about the zebrafish model, and prepare for a future career in research. This project is part of the larger effort to determine how tissue-wide organization of connected epithelial sheets emerge.
Research categories:
Cellular Biology, Genetics
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
student must be determined.
School/Dept.:
Comparative Pathobiology
Professor:
GuangJun Zhang

More information: https://vet.purdue.edu/discovery/zhang/?_ga=2.37713315.269020311.1676298437-162191664.1675354198

 

Engineer a synthetic neuron using a bottom-up approach 

Description:
Neurons convert biochemical information (through binding of a neurotransmitter) to electrical signal (via action potential) and back to biochemical signal (through the release of neurotransmitters). These distinct and separable processes can be reconstituted in a synthetic neuron by using natural and engineered proteins, and a synthetic neuron platform can be used to understand the rules governing the emergence of the present morphology of a neuron and the architecture of the neuronal system. This project thus aims to construct a synthetic neuron with a modular design and a programmable synthetic neuronal network capable of recapitulating basic functions of a natural neuronal system (e.g., action potential, synaptic communication, and basic computation) and with a long-term vision of incorporating more advanced computation and potentiation.
Research categories:
Biological Characterization and Imaging, Cellular Biology, Genetics, Medical Science and Technology
Preferred major(s):
  • No Major Restriction
Desired experience:
GPA > 3.5, BME, ABE and CHE preferred
School/Dept.:
Davidson School of Chemical Engineering
Professor:
Chongli Yuan

More information: https://cyuangroup.com/