Summer Program in Neuroscience (SPIN)
Summer Program in Neuroscience (SPIN)
Program begins June 7, 2010. Applications must be received by March 1, 2010.
The Summer Program in Neuroscience (SPIN) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) originated from a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with support from the National Science Foundation. It is now jointly sponsored by the Department of Neurobiology, the Civitan International Research Center and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at UAB.
The primary goal of SPIN is to provide motivated undergraduates who have demonstrated excellent scientific aptitude with the opportunity to experience independent research in neurobiology under the guidance of a faculty member. It is designed to increase student interest in graduate education leading to careers in biomedical research and research medicine. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students will have the opportunity to learn the basic skills necessary to contribute to a research effort while working on a component of a research project. Students will participate in both the intellectual and practical parts of laboratory work. Students will receive training in the research methods applicable to their research plan, analyze their data, attend lab meetings and journal clubs, and create written and oral presentations of their results at a research forum at the end of the summer program (Summer Research Forum).
Research in the Neuroscience at utilizes a variety of tools to study the molecular, cellular and network bases of the normal structure and function of the nervous system, including molecular genetics, whole cell and single channel patch- and voltage-clamp recording, high resolution imaging, confocal and electron microscopic and X-ray microanalysis, heterologous protein expression, high performance liquid chromatography neurochemistry, site-directed mutagenesis, in vivo electrophysiological analysis, biomedical engineering techniques, computer simulations and mathematical modeling. Research in the Department also addresses major issues in neurological health and disease, including epilepsy, primary brain tumors (gliomas), addiction, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alexander disease, brain/spinal cord injury, mental retardation/developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, movement disorders, perceptual disorders, stroke, and learning and memory disorders.
To see photos from SPIN 2007 activities click here.
To see photos from SPIN 2006 activities click here.
To see photos from SPIN 2004 activities click here.
Participating Faculty for 2010
Sweatt, Ph.D. J. David Professor and Chair
