Laboratory of Elizabeth T. Ables, Ph.D.

Title: Research Opportunity in Cell Biology

Research in the Ables Lab seeks to understand the fundamental principles by which cell fate and function are instructed and maintained. In particular, we focus on the role of nuclear hormone receptors in the establishment of cell fate. Nuclear hormone receptors are a broad class of physiologically-regulated transcription factors that are critical for reproduction, metabolism, and stem cell function. Using the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) ovary as a model tissue system, we combine genetic loss-of-function methods and in vivo techniques for visualizing cells in their microenvironment to test how nuclear hormone receptors control cell fate and function. Current projects in the lab include:

  1. Elucidating the roles of nuclear hormone receptors in stem cell establishment and self-renewal.
  2. Identification and characterization of novel nuclear hormone receptor target genes in the control of stem cell fate and function.
  3. Understanding the role of nuclear hormone receptors in germ cell differentiation and survival.

The Ables Lab includes 3-4 undergraduate team members at any given time. Students receive one-on-one training in basic lab skills (such as pipetting and preparation of solutions), fly husbandry and stock maintenance, microscopy, and molecular techniques. Students also participate in weekly lab meetings, where they discuss current scientific literature and present their research findings. Undergraduates with significant contributions to a research project are included as co-authors on publications and travel to regional and national scientific meetings.

Prospective students should send a CV/resume and a short statement of career interests to ablese@ecu.edu to receive an application and reserve a spot on the waiting list. Successful applicants have excellent time management skills, are highly organized, work well independently and as part of a team, and are motivated to learn and broaden their horizons. Undergraduates typically begin in either fall or early summer, and most commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week in lab. Students must have successfully completed BIOL 1100 and BIOL 2300 before beginning in the lab; students at all levels of their undergraduate career are encouraged to apply.