In the Myers Lab/we study how animal cells communicate with each other and how mistakes in this process drive cancer and other diseases. We recently discovered a surprising new type of intracellular signaling mechanism/and we’re excited to find out exactly how it works and what it means for the future of biology and cancer treatment. Over the course of the stream/students will help characterize a new protein-protein interaction involved in this intracellular signaling mechanism/and investigate whether similar signaling mechanisms are at play in other areas of human health and disease. The techniques employed will include: 1) bioluminescence resonance energy transfer/a powerful technique for precisely monitoring key protein-protein interactions within living cells/and 2) site-directed mutagenesis/which will gives student the ability to alter individual amino acids within a protein of interest/and then study their biological relevance. Undergraduates will learn how to perform rigorous experiments as well as how to think critically and creatively. Students will also receive one-on-one mentoring from Dr. Myers/in a lab that is recognized for the high caliber of undergraduate research and the ability of undergraduates to lead key projects and make cutting-edge discoveries.