July 15, 2009

NDSU biochemistry and molecular biology student organization has successful year

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NDSU’s chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology experienced a successful 2008-09 academic year. The chapter almost doubled its membership and nearly all members participated in research endeavors by working in campus research facilities.

This past fall, NDSU undergraduate students participated in the Northwest Regional Undergraduate Affiliate Network for Undergraduate Research in the Molecular Sciences American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Regional Conference held at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Erich Wilkerson received an honorable mention for his work, and Jarrett Failing received a travel award to present his research at the national American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference.

Both Failing and Wilkerson attended the national conference April 18-22 in New Orleans. Wilkerson gave an oral presentation detailing his work on a determination of the role of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor VPAC5, which may be important in the proliferative properties of cancer cells. Failing presented a poster with an overview of his research on the role of tumor suppressor protein cell apoptosis, as problems in T cell apoptosis are often associated with leukemia and lymphoma. Failing received an honorable mention for his poster.

Glenn Dorsam, assistant professor of chemistry and molecular biology, began NDSU’s chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology two years ago in order to extend student involvement in department proceedings and provide students with opportunities that reach beyond NDSU. “Besides the professional association that students receive upon membership, they are also given access to numerous online journals and printed publications that highlight the latest developments in biochemical research,” Dorsam said.

Dorsam has partnered with Joseph Provost from MSUM and Jennifer Bath from Concordia College to form a tri-college American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Affiliates Network.

Dorsam hopes to expand the research capabilities of NDSU’s biochemistry and molecular biology students, in addition to increasing awareness of current trends in the field through discussions of journal topics. NDSU also will host the 2009 Northwest Regional Undergraduate Affiliate Network for Undergraduate Research in the Molecular Sciences American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Regional Conference.

“Next year, we hope to focus the attentions of our student affiliate’s chapter on a collaboration between NDSU students and those of surrounding universities. We plan on meeting to discuss current research topics and review journal articles, in addition to sharing our own research at local poster sessions,” says Dorsam.

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