SFI UREKA Site in Molecular Recognition
Translating Design into Application

**Thank you to all students who participated in the UREKA MolRec programme.  The programme is now finished and will not be running in 2012.**

The UREKA (Undergraduate Research Experience & Knowledge Award) programme supports 3rd year undergraduate students carrying out original and challenging research during the summer months. The UREKA MolRec site offers research projects that are focused on aspects of molecular recognition from molecular design to biophysical and biological characterisation. National and international undergraduate students with backgrounds in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology and therapeutics are encouraged to apply.

The UREKA  MolRec site brings together 12 research groups that will host 13 students in 2011 in a programme that emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research. In addition to providing an exciting research environment the UREKA site will also promote close collaboration between Chemists, Biochemists, Microbiologists and Pharmacologists at NUI Galway. 

Molecular Recognition is the overarching theme of the programme. The research projects are tailored to include one or more aspects of the following:

                         Molecular Design - chemical synthesis / mutagenesis / computational methods

                         Biophysical Characterisation - spectroscopy e.g. NMR, FRET / Biacore

                         Biological Studies – cell culture / confocal microscopy / bio-assays

Protein interactions with Proteins / Carbohydrates / DNA and Surfaces (Biomaterials) will be explored using a range of tools from biochemistry to biophysics. Cell culture and animal models will be used to investigate biological interactions. Students will gain an appreciation of molecular research and its implications for the biomedical sciences.

To maximise interaction, learning and cross-fertilization the UREKA students will attend a weekly seminar series where the principal investigators will take turns to present their research in the context of MolRec. Additional seminars (careers, ethics, IP, etc.) will also be attended by the students.

Location

The MolRec UREKA site will be hosted at NUI Galway between the School of Chemistry, the Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the NCBES. Students will be accommodated on campus at the Corrib Village Student Residence.

What participanting students will receive:

• Placement in an interdisciplinary research project with a research team that is working together to solve a common science problem.
• Direction and mentorship from a member of the academic staff and research team.
• Lectures (from each mentor) on topics and techniques in molecular recognition.
• Workshops on ethics, career development, communications skills, professional skills.
• Participation in weekly meetings to informally present research data and discuss and troubleshoot research problems.
• Participation in an interactive Research Symposium with oral and poster presentations where students present their results to the NUI Galway research community.
• Pre-scheduled social and cultural events.
• Pre-booked accommodation in a student village and assistance for international students.
• A stipend of €300 per week for the 12 week programme.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses of €300 for students from the EU and €800 for students from outside of EU.

What is expected from the participating students:

• To be available to work from June 1st to August 20th, 2011.  No exceptions.
• To devote 37.5 hours per week to the programme.
• To attend the Journal Clubs, Research Seminars, Workshops, Social Events and Lectures in the programme as well as lab meetings associated with the host lab.
• To present a poster at the Research Symposium held at the end of the term.
• To submit a 5 page research report.
• To complete questionnaires about experiences in the programme. 

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