Introduction to Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Research 694:315 &
Introduction to Research in Genetics 447:315

Presentations:
A very important aspect of scientific research is the presentation of the results. Even the most ground breaking research is useless if other people do not know about it. Most scientific research is reported in written papers and oral presentations. We are therefore going to require that each student write a short (1 page single space) paper on their findings and present a short research seminar to the instructors and other members of the class.

Each student will give individual presentations on their research in the 315 course.

Time:  Presentations should be about 8-10 minutes--no more! You will loose credit by rambling or running overtime, so practice for length.

Section 02: Tues., April 27, 1:40-6:20 Waksman, Room 311
Section 03: Wed., April 28, 1:40-6:20 Waksman, Room 311

The order of the talks will be assigned on the day of and will be determined randomly. The presentations must be deposited in your Drop-Box ON SAKAI NO LATER than 10:00 of the morning of the day that you present. The presentations will not be accepted after 10:00. Do not send presentations via e-mail or drop box. Also, please name the file as "Last Name, First Initial -315P" (i.e. "MEADJ-315P"). As a back-up you should bring a copy of the file on a flash drive. Materials handed in late or not properly named will affect the final grade.

Some of you have inquired about internet access...we will have this; however, any animation or video should be lilmited and not represent more than one min. of your talk.

We will distribute course evaluation forms on the day of the presentations. These must be completed and turned in at the final exam. You will need to have completed these forms to be able to take the final so please BRING THEM TO THE FINAL.

Suggested Guideline for Presentation Format: 

1.  Introduction: Be sure to include the following introductory information:
            A. Total number of clones sequenced
            B. Total number of sequences good enough to send through the database
            C. Total number of real matches, what are they?
            D. Names and numbers of real matches

This introduction should be about 1 minute in length! The written summary statement should also include this information.

2.  Results:  The seminar topic may include the following information:
            A.  Identify the clone
            B.  Show original match data-scores, % similarity, length of match, etc.
            C.  Indicate if your sequence spans an intron. Is the position of the intron conserved?
            D.  Present protein sequence analysis
            E.  Can you show a clustal alignment of several homologous sequences?
            F.   Does it have a conserved domain? What is its function and structure?
            G.  What is the role of the protein in the cell and in the organism?  What is its activity?
            H.  When, where, and under what conditions is it expressed? 
            I.   What is the known or expected effect of a mutation in the gene?
            J.   What other proteins may it interact with? Do they have similar mutant phenotypes?
            K.   What is not known or unclear about the protein? How would you answer this question?

3. Questions: Expect the audience to ask questions about the work after the talk.

A review of scientific presentations with hints can be downloaded here. (notes.pdf) (.ppt) podcast (from last year)

Examples of very good presentations by former 315 students: (.ppt files)
            A.  Naznin Daginawala
            B.  Sameera Kongara
            C.  Ruchira Ranaweera
            D.  Christopher Ricupero