Christopher Murphy - US grants

Defensins are small cysteine rich antimicrobial peptides isolated from macrophages and neutrophils. We have shown them to be very effective, in vitro, against a broad spectrum of ocular pathogens isolated from clinical cases of severe ulcerative keratitis. Additionally, we have shown defensins to represent unique growth factors that markedly stimulate the growth of corneal epithelial cells. This proposal is a pilot project to test the use of these natural peptides as innovative topical therapeutic agents in an animal model. Specifically, their effectiveness as topical antimicrobial agents will be determined using a rabbit model of pseudomonas and staphylococcus keratitis. In addition, their ability to facilitate corneal epithelial wound healing will be evaluated in a rabbit model.

It is well established that an intact sensory neural supply is essential to the maintenance of normal corneal health. Corneal nerves play a role in mitogenesis of the corneal epithelium and corneal epithelial wound healing. The mechanism(s) whereby they exert their influence is poorly defined. It is suggested that the release of neuropeptides play an essential role in the trophic influences of the nerve supply on corneal trophic and reparative processes. Preliminary data is presented which suggests the neuropeptide substance P (SP) to influence corneal epithelial cell migration, cell adhesion and mitogenesis and decreased SP to be associated with corneal disease. It is possible that the alteration of neuropeptide content represents the common underlying defect in diverse corneal wound healing disorders including diabetic keratopathy, metaherpetic keratitis, recurrent epithelial erosions and delayed healing associated with thermal and alkali burns as well as post corneal transplant. In this application five hypotheses will be tested using a combination of in vitro and animal experiments. 1. SP is necessary for the maintenance of corneal health and corneal epithelial wound healing. 2. Decreased availability of SP impairs corneal epithelial wound healing in diabetic and galactosemic animals. 3. Neuropeptides play a role in corneal epithelial migration during the wound healing process. 4. Neuropeptides play a role in the development and maintenance of corneal epithelial cell adhesion. 5. SP content is modulated in canine patients that have spontaneously occurring chronic non-septic corneal epithelial defects. The long term goals of this research are to better understand the roles of neuropeptides in maintenance of corneal health and in corneal disease states with a view towards their possible application in the treatment of corneal epithelial wound healing disorders which are seen in human and veterinary patients.

DESCRIPTION: Basement membranes have many features which greatly influence cell function including specific proteins and functional groups, a reservoir of growth factors and other trophic agents, and a complex three-dimensional topography into which adherent cells extend processes and to which cells form adhesion plaques. The three dimensional topography of the underlying substrate, independent of specific receptor-ligand interactions, has been recently shown to influence fundamental cell behaviors. The majority of studies conducted to date have evaluated the effect of large scale (>1um) features on cell behavior. The relevance of these "large scale" studies to cell behavior in vivo is not clear since the PI's laboratories have shown the basement membrane underlying the anterior corneal epithelium to consist of a complex 3-dimensional nanoscale (>1um feature size) architecture which amplifies its surface area for cell-membrane interaction approx. 3500-4000 fold. The overall purpose of this proposal is to investigate the influence of nonoscale (<1micron) topographic features of the basement membrane underlying the anterior corneal epithelium on cell behavior. In this application, a multi-displinary approach is proposed to test 3 hypotheses using in vitro methodologies in cell biology and state of the art nanoscale fabrication techniques. Hypothesis 1: Biomimetic nonoscale topographic features of the basement membrane modulate fundamental cell behaviors. Hypothesis 2: Totally synthetic surfaces can be engineered with features (bumps v.s. pores v.s. fibers) of controlled size, distribution and surface chemistry that will modulate cell behaviors in a fashion similar to the topography of the "native" basement membrane. Hypothesis 3. Nonoscale topography modulates the response of cells to other well known cytoactive compounds.

Animal Behavior Program
Nontechnical Abstract


Proposal Number: 9873669
PI: Murphy, Christopher G.
Title: RUI: Mate-Sampling Behavior of Female Treefrogs (Hyla gratiosa): An Experimental Approach

Despite considerable interest in this field, we know relatively little about mate-sampling behaviors, i.e., how individuals gather information about potential partners. The proposed study will examine the mate-sampling behavior of female treefrogs. Previous results suggest that females listen to only a subset of the males in a chorus and that females incorporate into their decisions both the distance to the caller, and the call characteristics themselves. The proposed research will test this hypothesis and likely alternatives, using artificial choruses of eight speakers. These speakers will be arranged in an array that mimics the spatial distribution of males in natural choruses. The experimental approach of this research will allow a conclusive determination of the mate-sampling behavior of females, and elucidate how many males a female listens to and the effect of distance on partner choice.

This research is novel in that it incorporates environmental variables (the distance from the caller) as well as the attributes of the caller (his song) in the examination of how females choose mates. The results of this approach will be broadly applicable to the theories regarding mate choice in a wide array of species. Undergraduate students will be closely involved in this research. They will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the scientific endeavor. This will increase the likelihood that these students will choose to continue working in the biological sciences.

Whereas decoding the entire genomes of procaryotic and eucaryotic organisms was a major
biological challenge of the nineties, this new decade seeks to capture an understanding of the
protein interactions of a cell. This understanding has the potential to yield enormous societal
benefit via predictions of total cellular responses to new pharmaceutical compounds, infectious
agents, environmental toxins, or disruptions in particular regulatory pathways. The research
described in this proposal aims to address this grand challenge by establishing a fundamentally
new and highly sensitive optical measurement technique that permits rapid, simultaneous
detection and quantification of multiple protein molecules involved in regulating intracellular
signaling pathways.

The research described in this proposal fuses principles of optics in liquid crystalline
media with the design of nanostructured surfaces to create a fundamentally new optical tool that
has the potential to be broadly applicable to studies aimed at unraveling the complex behavior of
cellular systems at the protein level. The first goal is to establish the use of biophotonic methods
based on liquid crystals for analysis of key regulatory signaling pathways in cells. Such a
technology could impact drug discovery, pharmacodynamic monitoring, regulation of gene
expression, protein-protein interactions, and our understanding of carcinogenesis. The second
broad goal is to demonstrate that liquid crystals can form the basis of a general and powerful
methodology that permits detection of post-translational modifications to proteins. Because the
identification of specific chemical modifications of a protein can reveal its cellular location,
biological lifespan and activation status, classification of proteins by their post-translational
modification would be enormously useful in studies elucidating the complex behavior of cells.

We propose to explore the use of liquid crystals to monitor cellular expression and
activation of regulatory signaling proteins such as Ras, and to detect the interaction of Ras with
target proteins in the multiple signaling pathways that mediate its biological activity. Although
our initial focus will be on detecting the binding of Ras to anti-Ras IgG and, when activated, its
binding to the down stream effector molecular RAF1, this system is prototypical and will,
therefore, be generalizable to a broad class of regulatory signaling proteins. We propose to
demonstrate the generality of the methodology by using liquid crystals to screen simultaneously
for post-translational modifications of multiple proteins involved in a common regulatory
pathway.

First, we will design surfaces that permit coupling of biomolecular recognition
events between total Ras and anti-Ras IgG, and between activated Ras and RAF1, to the
orientations of liquid crystals. Second, we will determine the sensitivity and capability to
quantitate photonic methods based on liquid crystals using as examples detection of total Ras
and activated Ras. Third, we will integrate photonic principles based on liquid crystals with
microfluidics so as to minimize sample size and enable detection of minute amounts of
captured proteins (~104 molecules). We will provide simultaneous measurement of total Ras and
activated Ras, and integrate the delivery of the sample and the liquid crystal. Fourth, we will
demonstrate the generality of the above described methodology based on liquid crystals by
rapidly screening for the post-translational modifications of multiple proteins involved in a
common regulatory pathway (MAPK, JNK, ERK 1/2).

Although the principles we propose to develop are broadly applicable to fundamental
studies in cell and molecular biology, they also have the potential for a tremendous impact on
biomedical investigators. One such example is in the detection of the activation states of
intracellular regulatory proteins. It is the activation state of these proteins that determines which
intracellular signaling cascades are initiated, and these in turn determine the fundamental
behaviors of cells. As such, the rapid determination of the activation states of these regulatory
proteins will represent a boon to the study of diverse medical conditions that result from
inappropriate signaling events such as those linked to neoplastic transformation and immune
mediated disorders.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Corneal epithelial cells rest upon a basement membrane, which represents a unique specialization of the extracellular matrix. Basement membranes have many features that greatly influence cell function including a complex three-dimensional topography. The three-dimensional topography of the underlying substrate independent of specific receptor-ligand interactions, has been recently shown to influence fundamental cell behaviors. The majority of studies conducted to date have evaluated the effect of large scale (> 1 um) features on cell behavior. The relevance of these "large-scale" studies to cell behavior in vivo is not clear since our laboratories have shown the basement membrane underlying the anterior corneal epithelium to consist of a complex 3-dimensional nanoscale (< 1 micron feature size) architecture which amplifies its surface area for cell-membrane interaction. Additionally, we have shown that corneal epithelial cells respond differently to these large-scale features than to much finer nanoscale features that are more representative of the topographic features encountered in vivo. The overall purpose of this proposal is to investigate the ability of nanoscale (< 1 micron) topographic features to modulate fundamental cell behaviors. In this application, a multi-disciplinary approach is proposed to test 3 hypotheses using in vitro methodologies in cell biology and state-of-the-art nanoscale fabrication techniques. Hypothesis 1: Totally synthetic surfaces can be engineered through controlled fabrication with biologically relevant feature types (bumps vs. pores vs. fibers), dimensions and distributions that will modulate corneal epithelial cell behaviors. Hypothesis 2: Biomimetic nanoscale topographic features of the basement membrane modulate fundamental corneal cell behaviors. Hypothesis 3: Cytoactive compounds interact with Nanoscale topography to modulate corneal epithelial cell behavior.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this Exploratory/Development Grant for Mental Health Intervention Research (PA-99-134) is to develop, standardize, and pilot test an individual cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) for partner violent men. To date, treatment interventions for partner violence perpetrators have been conducted almost exclusively in groups. Yet the efficacy of such treatments relative to no-treatment controls has not been consistently demonstrated. There are several reasons to believe that individual treatment may be more efficacious. The proposed ICBT approach will combine elements of motivational enhancement therapy with cognitive change and behavior change techniques designed to ameliorate core deficits identified in case-control studies of partner violent men. The motivational enhancement components of ICBT, adapted from the substance abuse field, will be emphasized in the early phase of treatment to facilitate client movement into the active stage of intentional behavior change. Treatment will then use CBT techniques, implemented within an individual case formulation, to improve coping skills for anger-arousing relationship situations and relationship communication and problem solving skills. The proposed project will take this basic outline of ICBT and develop it into a well-characterized and standardized approach, providing preliminary data to support future clinical trials. During phase 1, the treatment of pilot cases will be used along with extensive input from project consultants and project therapists to draft and refine an ICBT manual and treatment adherence measures. In phase 2, 60 partner violent men will be randomly assigned to receive either 16 sessions of ICBT or 16 sessions of treatment-as-usual (TAU) in a standard group protocol. Data on abusive behavior outcomes and secondary treatment targets will be gathered from clients and collateral relationship partners at quarterly intervals for one year after enrollment into the study. Analyses will address the main effects of ICBT versus TAU, and will explore potential mediators (e.g., homework compliance, therapeutic alliance) and moderators (e.g., psychopathology) of change.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Several features of basement membranes profoundly influence cell function, including the presence of specific proteins, functional groups, growth factors, and other trophic agents, as well as a complex 3 dimensional topography into which adherent cells extend processes and form plaques. The 3 dimensional topography of the basement membrane, independent of specific receptor-ligand interactions, has been shown recently to influence multiple fundamental cell behaviors. The majority of studies conducted to date have evaluated the effect of large scale (> 1 mu/M) features of surface topography on cell behavior. The relevance of these "large-scale" studies to cell behavior in vivo is not clear, since our laboratories have shown that the surface of basement membranes, including the basement membrane underlying urothelial cells, actually consists of a complex 3-dimensional nanoscale (< 1 mu/M feature size) architecture that dramatically amplifies its surface area for cell-basement membrane interaction. The overall purpose of this proposal is to determine the consequences of nanoscale topographic features on urothelial cell behavior. In this application, a multi-disciplinary approach is proposed, employing techniques in cell biology and state of the art methods of nanofabrication, to test the following hypothesis: 1. Totally synthetic surfaces can be engineered through controlled fabrication with biologically relevant feature types, dimensions and distributions that will modulate urothelial cell behaviors. The proposed studies will generate information pertinent to tissue engineering and development of prosthetic devices for use in the urinary tract, as well as providing data to initiate mechanistic studies.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This revised application involves a controlled clinical trial of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for alcohol problems among partner violent men. Prior research has indicated that alcohol problems are common among partner violent men, alcohol problems impede compliance with and response to partner violence interventions, and unresolved alcohol problems are a major risk factor for continued partner abuse in this population. In the proposed study, 278 individuals who present for domestic violence counseling at a community-based treatment agency, and who screen positive for risky alcohol consumption or alcohol involvement in domestic violence incidents, will be randomly assigned to receive either 4 weekly sessions of MET, or a control condition consisting of 4 weekly sessions of Alcohol Education (AE). MET involves extensive personalized feedback on alcohol consumption and related risks and problems. MET is designed to stimulate a self-directed change process. Subsequent to completing one of these interventions, all participants will be assigned to agency treatment-as-usual for domestic abuse, and participants with severe substance use disorders, as assessed by the agency program staff, will be referred for additional substance use treatment at a community agency. Outcomes will be assessed through self-report and collateral partner report of alcohol and drug consumption, partner abuse, and related variables, with assessments conducted at baseline, post- 4 session intervention, and quarterly follow-ups for one year after the alcohol interventions. The investigation will examine the efficacy of MET in reducing alcohol consumption, reducing physical and emotional abuse of relationship partners, and enhancing subsequent treatment participation and help seeking. Additional analyses will test explanatory models of the effect of MET on partner violence that include alcohol use and involvement in domestic violence treatment as mediating variables.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Basement membranes have many features, which greatly influence cell function including specific proteins and functional groups, a reservior of growth factor and other trophic agents, and a complex three dimensional topography into which adherent cells extend processes, and to which cells form adhesion plaques. The three-dimensional topography of the underlying substrate, independent of specific receptor-ligand interactions, has been recently shown to influence fundamental cell behaviors. The majority of studies conducted to date have evaluated the effect of large scale (>1 micron) features on cell behavior. The relevance of these "large-scale" studies to cell behavior in vivo is not clear since our laboratories have shown basement membranes in non-vascular tissues to consist of a complex 3-dimensional nanoscale (1 micron feature size) architecture which dramatically amplifies its surface area for cell-membrane interaction. The overall purpose of this proposal is to to determine the topographic features of the basement membrane underlying the vascular endothelium and to investigate the cellular consequences of nanoscale (< 1 micron) topographic features present on the substratum. In this application, a multi-disciplinary approach is proposed to test 3 hypotheses using quantitative morphologic techniques, in vitro methodologies in cell biology, molecular biology, and state-of-the-art nanoscale fabrication techniques. Hypothesis 1: The topographic features of vascular endothelial basement membranes is similar between vessel types and locations and similar to that found for other basement membranes throughout the body. Hypothesis 2: Totally synthetic surfaces can be engineered through controlled fabrication with biologically relevant feature types, dimensions and distributions that will modulate vascular endothelial behaviors. Hypothesis 3:The topographic features of the basement membrane provide extracellular cues leading to signaling through proteins involved in focal adhesion complexes.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION: A fundamental question in cell biology is how surface topography regulates cell behavior. Our previous and ongoing work has focused on defining the topography of native basement membranes and determining the "phenotypic impact" of biologically relevant length scales on modulating corneal epithelial cell behaviors. Using silicon surfaces patterned with grooves and ridges, we have shown that biologic length scale topographic features modulate corneal epithelial cell orientation, adhesion, migration and proliferation. Topography also influences the architecture and orientation of focal adhesions as well as the distribution and orientation of cytoskeletal elements within the cell. Importantly, we have demonstrated that a transition in the cellular response to topography for many behaviors occurs at approx. 1,200 nm pitch (pitch = ridge + groove width) with the greatest impact of topography generally occurring in the nanoscale range, the range of feature sizes found in the native basement membrane. It is possible that the observed effects are caused directly (e.g. biomechanical transduction events initiated at the cell membrane) and/or indirectly (e.g. the topography of the substratum dictates the density and/or distribution of adhesion complexes which in turn modulate cell behaviors). Preliminary data support the central hypothesis that nanoscale (1-100 nm) and submicron (< 1 mu m) topographic features of the substratum, characteristic of those found in the native corneal basement membranes, constrain focal contact architecture resulting in altered signaling and cellular responses. These studies have relevance to our fundamental understanding of the role that topographic cues play in the normal development and maintenance of the corneal epithelium. Furthermore, data generated will contribute to the genesis of novel strategies in tissue engineering and advance the development of ocular prosthetics. We have assembled a strong interdisciplinary team of senior investigators to test the following hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Integrins and syndecans mediate cellular responses to topographic cues. Hypothesis 2: The scale of topographic features modulates the activity of the Ras superfamily of GTPases. Hypothesis 3: The scale of topographic features modulates matrix receptor kinase targets that, in turn, modulate cell behaviors. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neoplastic transformation results in dysfunctional or lack of response to the environmental cues whose integration results in the maintenance of homeostasis in normal cells. Work performed in our laboratories and others have demonstrated that basement membranes possess a complex three-dimensional topography consisting of interwoven fibers pores and elevations in the 20-400 nm size range. Synthetic matrices with features in the biologically relevant nanoscale and sub-micron range have the greatest impact on cell orientation, cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and modulation of intracellular signaling proteins. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate the impact of nanoscale (< 100 nm) and submicron (100 nm-1um) topographic features, characteristic of basement membranes, on normal, immortalized and transformed (tumorigenic) keratinocyte behavior. Preliminary data suggest that transformed keratinocytes fail to respond or respond only weakly to topographic cues compared to primarily cultured keratinocytes. We have also generated data that suggest intracellular signaling pathways are differentially modulated in transformed vs primary cell cultures. We hypothesize that the altered response of transformed cells to topographic cues may be an essential component in the neoplastic transformation of keratinocytes. We have assembled a strong interdisciplinary team to test the following hypothesis: Totally synthetic surfaces can be engineered through controlled fabrication with biologically relevant feature types, dimensions and distributions that differentially modulate normal, immortalized and carcinogenic keratinocyte behaviors. We will address the following questions: 1.What is the topography of the basement membrane underlying normal keratinocytes and from patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)? 2. What are the effects of nanoscale to microscale topographic features on normal, immortalized and transformed keratinocyte cell behaviors including morphology, orientation, adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation? 3.Does topographic cueing differentially modulate intracellular signaling pathways in primary, immortalized non-tumorigenic and transformed tumorigenic keratinocytes? Topographic cues may alter the malignant phenotype or the response to topographic cues may be predictive of metastatic potential and may identify novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

This project is further refining scientific and quantitative reasoning assessment tools and procedures for use in undergraduate programs. Although it is desirable that institutions of higher education begin to use direct measures of student learning to assess important learning outcomes, direct measures are currently the least systematically used of available assessment techniques. Without appropriate assessment methods, the nation will continue to rely upon less desirable indicators such as: student self-reports, actuarial reports, and external ratings of institutional quality. By exploring the generalizability of current instruments designed to measure scientific and quantitative reasoning skills at James Madison University to other diverse institutions, this project is contributing to knowledge of undergraduate STEM education, developing faculty expertise in assessment practice, and helping to build an interdisciplinary community of scholars from five diverse institutions.
James Madison University (JMU) is uniquely qualified to contribute to the development and dissemination of psychometrically sound instruments and assessment practice due to its long-term commitment to this work via the Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS) (www.jmu.edu/assessment/). This project is building on successful work conducted over several years by CARS faculty with significant collaboration by JMU STEM faculty members through which objectives for scientific and quantitative reasoning have been carefully crafted, and innovative items have been created and mapped to these objectives. JMU is currently using the eighth generation of instruments designed to measure collegiate scientific (SR) and quantitative reasoning (QR) skills and knowledge. This project is building on our existing research base that has demonstrated the reliability and validity of scores. Recent research supports the hypothesis that current scientific and quantitative reasoning goals and associated assessment instruments can successfully be modified for use other institutions in need of sound assessment methods and practices. The project is working on the following six objectives:
1. Exploring the psychometric quality and generalizability of the SR and QR instruments to institutions having diverse missions and serving diverse populations.
2. Building improved and scientifically based assessment plans for adoption at home institutions through consultation and participation in Faculty Institutes.
3. Building assessment capacity at participating institutions through professional development in assessment practice, analytic methods, and data presentation to enhance curricular reflection and improvement.
4. Developing new assessment models and designs for adoption or adaptation by other institutions.
5. Documenting potential barriers to effective assessment practice and exploring solutions.
6. Creating scholarly communities of assessment practitioners to sustain work at participating institutions and beyond.
Intellectual Merit: This project is advancing knowledge and understanding of student learning in scientific and quantitative reasoning skills and providing sound tools for other projects and researchers. The project is following the National Research Council (2001) assessment model through formation of interdisciplinary teams from each institution with broad science, mathematics, cognitive psychology, and measurement expertise to study the generalizability of assessment tools to distinct institutions serving diverse populations. Obstacles to effective practice at each institution are being identified and addressed.
Broader Impacts: This project is improving our understanding of student scientific and quantitative reasoning in order to enhance student learning and teaching. The project is directly providing advanced training opportunities for faculty and administrators from diverse participating institutions. These interdisciplinary teams represent a new community of scholars that are contributing to research on STEM teaching, learning, and assessment at their home institutions and beyond via rich dissemination opportunities.

ABSTRACT for EFRI BSBA: Biology Inspired Intelligent Micro Optical Imaging Systems
PI: Hongrui Jiang, UWI, Madison;

This interdisciplinary research seeks to realize bio-inspired intelligent micro optical imaging systems. Six types of natural eyes are selected to provide inspirations to meet those challenges: camera-type eyes (e.g., human eyes), apposition compound eyes (e.g., flies), eye arrays (spiders), non-circular shaped pupils (e.g., rays), reflecting superposition compound eyes (e.g., shrimps), and bi-fovea retinas (e.g., hawks). This research incorporates the useful elements of natural visual systems into integrated, intelligent, micro imaging systems without anatomic and physiological constraints. This research has the following main tasks: 1) Development of spherical multi-micro-camera arrays (MMCA) integrating light field photography. This integration enables miniaturized systems to acquire panoramic videos with large depth of field. 2) Development of artificial reflecting superposition compound eyes (ARSCE) by coupling a spherical micro-mirror-box array and a spherical photodetector array. This integration enables high-transmittance and low-chromatic-aberration imaging over a wide spectrum. 3) Development of bio-inspired multi-fovea coordination software as a general framework for efficient processing of visual information and a simulation platform for verification of hypotheses in bio-vision research. 4) Validation of developed hardware and software prototypes through computer simulation and physical experimentation. The PIs also propose a coherent and comprehensive education and outreach plan that includes curriculum improvement and development, mentoring graduate, undergraduate and underrepresented students (especially those with learning disabilities), creation of and participation in interdisciplinary educational programs, and dissemination and outreach to the local community and general public.

Intellectual Merit:

The proposed research is transformative and novel and has the potential to broadly impact many scientific disciplines, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science and engineering, materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering, ophthalmology, visual sciences, and optics. This study will enhance the understanding in comparative vision, ophthalmology, visual neuroscience and neurophysiology, and might contribute to the grand task of realizing artificial vision. This research can also make significant contribution to research in micro optics in optical imaging and microanalytics, which have wide applications in medical diagnostics, biophotonics and lab-on-a-chip technologies.

Broader Impact:

This interdisciplinary research will generate significant educational
opportunities for students at both college and K-12 levels. Accomplishments will lead to development of new courses and greatly benefit existing ones in multiple areas, such as microelectromechanical systems, microsensors, microdevice and integrated circuit fabrication, integrated circuit design, computer vision, comparative vision, physiological optics, neurophysiology, ophthalmology and veterinary ophthalmology, electronic materials, polymer physics, and mechanics of polymers. This project will provide opportunities for undergraduate and underrepresented students to conduct transformative and novel research.

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

Indiana State University is a RUI-eligible institution highly engaged in undergraduate research training. This award will provide funds to the renovation of research laboratory space in the Science Building at Indiana State University in support of their undergraduate and graduate research programs in biology, chemistry, and geology. The 50-year-old Science Building houses the University's programs in the natural sciences, including biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and science education. The project will renovate seven research labs that support graduate and/or undergraduate research in organic chemistry and pharmacology, geochemistry, dendrochronology, paleoceanography, molecular ecology, and evolutionary physiology. Several of the labs present safety concerns by contemporary standards due to poor laboratory layout, lack of sufficient and appropriate storage, inadequate air flow in antiquated fume hoods, and missing safety features, such as eyewashes and showers. Plans for renovating these laboratories include the following: (i) new ceilings, floors, recessed doorways, and repair of walls with some reconfiguration; (ii) new casework, bench tops, and shelving; (iii) installation of fixed laboratory equipment and fume hoods; (iv) installation of ADA-compliant bench space; (v) new electrical services and plumbing; (vi) improved temperature control and exhaust; and (vii) new safety features including eyewashes and showers. The two chemistry labs targeted for renovation include an organic chemistry research lab that will be reconfigured to provide additional organic chemistry research space and space for biochemistry. Geology lab renovations will create two rooms that separately support wood and rock processing activities. The four rooms of the Geochemistry Lab will be reconfigured as three rooms with a new doorway. Lastly one additional room on the first floor will be renovated to be the Paleoceanography Laboratory. There are the two labs targeted for renovation on the second floor: the Molecular Ecology Lab and the Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology Lab. These renovations will support a highly productive faculty and significant undergraduate research programs.