Overcoming DNA replication barriers

The overall goal of research in the Freudenreich lab is to understand mechanisms of genome stability that operate at structure-forming DNA repeats, and how they collaborate to protect against repeat expansions and chromosome fragility. These are important questions, as they have direct bearing on human diseases, both repeat expansion diseases and cancer, and therefore human health. In this context, my lab studies cellular mechanisms of DNA replication and repair at DNA structures or other types of difficult to replicate and repair sequences. 

This project will focus on the cellular mechanisms used to overcome barriers to DNA replication. It will use a combination of genetic and physical assays to study the pathways that facilitate replication of a protein-mediated replication block to prevent chromosomal damage. 

This opportunity is for students who are available for ~20 hours per week over a 10-12 week summer period. It is an unpaid internship opportunity. An opportunity to so some paid lab jobs (~5hrs per week, in addition to the research) may be available. This opportunity was also posted on the Laidlaw Scholars site, and eligible students can also apply for this opportunity through the VERSE program or apply for the Biology Carpenter award. 

 

Name of research group, project, or lab
Freudenreich Lab
Website
https://as.tufts.edu/biology/freudenreich-lab
Why join this research group or lab?

We have a vibrant group of graduate students and undergraduate students. You would be mentored in this project by a graduated senior (who developed the project) for the summer, and then be in a position to continue it. We are looking for someone with independence and drive who loves to think about science and how things work in the cell. 

Representative publication
Whalen et al. 2020_0.pdf
Logistics Information:
Project categories
Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry
Student ranks applicable
2nd year undergraduate
3rd year undergraduate
Masters
Student qualifications

Students must have taken Genetics (Bio 41) and done well in it (A or B) or taking it now and doing well. Students interested in my lab have found that further courses in molecular biology beyond Genetics are helpful. For example, Molecular Biology (Bio 105), Experiments in Molecular Biology (Bio 50), Cell Biology (Bio 46), or Biochemistry (Bio 152).  

Priority will be given to students who have time in their schedule to continue the project over the next academic year.  

To apply for this opportunity, make sure you address the following criteria:

  1. Explain your motivation, what you hope to gain from the experience, and current career plans
  2. List your previous research experience and techniques learned
  3. List your relevant courses and grades
  4. Confirm that you are able to devote ~20 hours/week to lab research over a 10-12 week period in the summer, and that you will be available to continue research in the academic year for credit (for example as a Bio 93/193 or 94/194 project). This means you are able to devote 10-15 hours per week during an academic year semester and fit a 2-3 credit course into your schedule. If you don’t have time to make this commitment (due to a heavy course load or many extracurricular activities), then this opportunity is not appropriate for you.
  5. Optional: write up a short proposal of a project that would be interesting to pursue, based on one of the papers published in the lab in the last 5 years. The proposal should be less than 250 words and include what question you would like to answer and the approach you would take. The proposal is theoretical and does not have to match this opportunity. Note: use of AI to answer these question is disqualifying. Answers should reflect your own thinking and writing. 
Hours per week
15+hrs/wk
Compensation
Unpaid - Volunteer
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned

The primary techniques used will be making mutants and then examining their effect on recovery from the barrier using microscopy. 

Project start
May 2025
Contact Information:
Mentor
Catherine Freudenreich
catherine.freudenreich@tufts.edu
Principal Investigator
Name of project director or principal investigator
Catherine Freudenreich
Email address of project director or principal investigator
Catherine.Freudenreich@tufts.edu
1 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
15+hrs/wk
Project categories
Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry