Scientific Projects for New Members

Now you are ready to work in Arisaka-Elegans Lab.    But before you jump into lab activities, you'd better understand our scientific goals well. More importantly, you should have your own clear goal.  This page contains a list of your scientific homework projects.

Scientific Preparation

Below is the homework projects for you to learn basic science at Arisaka-Elegans Lab.  Please follow the instruction step by step.

[S1] Project #S1 Lectures by Cori Bargmann 
  1. Why studying of C. elegans helps to understand ourselves, especially function of our brain.
  2. What is the similarity and difference between C. elegans and humans?

[S2] Project #S2 Review Articles
  1. Why did you choose this article?   
  2. What facts were totally new to you in the article? 
  3. What do you wish you study? and How?,   assuming you have infinite resources and 5 years?
  4. Lastly, what do you think you can learn in this quarter of 10 weeks (with limited resource and time.)

[S3] Project #S3 WormBook (Week 3)
  • WormBook is a prime source of Web-based knowledge on C. Elegans, contributed by the whole community of CE.  Please navigate the site and get some idea. 
  • Please go to "Useful External Links" --> "WormBook" in our site,where the most important chapters for us are linked.  Navigate all of them.  Quickly read all the chapters.
  • Pick up one chapter of your interest, and read carefully.
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.
  • In the report, please include the following.
  1. Why did you choose this chapter?   
  2. What facts were totally new to you? 
  3. How are you going to apply your knowledge in your club activities? 

[S4] Project #S3 Watch Videos of C.E.  Experiments at JoVE (Week 4)
  1. JoVE has lots of excellent videos of experimental methods.
  2. Please go to "Useful External Links" --> "Movies" in our site, and watch listed JoVE videos as many as you like.
  3. Try to watch the ones which are most related to your own interests.
  4. Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.
  5. In the report, please include the following.
  6. Why did you choose this movie?   
  7. What is the most critical points to perform this kind of experiment? 
  8. What do we already have in our Lab? What are missing in our Lab??

Now it is time to think about your own project to pursue.   
Please consult with Arisaka or senior members in the club first.  
Shape up with you mind.  
What is your career goal?  How do you like to advance your career by performing your experiment in the lab?  
Think hard. Then proceed to the next project, S5 and S6.

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[S5] Project #S5 Report on the latest articles of C elegans  (Week 5)
  • Now is a good time to expose yourself to the latest development of C. elegans researches.
  • Please go to "Important Papers" in our site, navigate all the posted papers.
  • Read the ones which are most related to your own interests.
  • Pick up one of your best interest. Consult your choice with Arisaka or senior members of the Club.
  • Read it carefully. Check out the important references. 
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.
  • In the report, please include the following.
    1. Why did you choose this article?   
    2. What is the most critical points to perform this kind of experiment? 
    3. What do we already have in our Lab? What are missing in our Lab??

[S6] Project #S6 Oral presentation on the latest article (Week 6-9)
  • The last important step is an oral presentation at the group meeting,
  • Prepare your talk based on your paper of interest (or WormBook Chapter), using PowerPoint (or Keynote). 
  • Make sure to include (1) scientific introduction and aims,  (2) Methods, (3) Results.
  • Then also include (4) your own proposal to improve the experiments within our cub. 
  • Then compile 10-15 pages of PPT file for 15 minutes presentation.
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.
  • Please notify to Arisaka or senior members to schedule your talk.


Learning Broader Science
Below is the homework projects for you to learn broader science besides C. elegans.

[SB1] Project #SB1 Read the Top 10 Science in Special Issue of Nature (Week 3)
  • Read the story of all 10 topics in each category.
  • Find the best one which interest you the most, then read the original particle(s) cited by that article.
  • If you have no particular preference, I suggest "Decade of the brain"
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.


[SB2] Project #SB2 The First Book Review (End of the first month)
  • It is important to become familiar with all kinds of interesting scientific topics today quickly.
  • At Arisaka's homepage, there is a list of recommended popular books.
  • I strongly encourage you to read one book per month. Pick up one book of your interest and read it.
  • If you have no preference, I suggest you to read one of the following three:
  • (1) I of the Vortex: From Neurons to Self.  (To obtain the PDF file, click here.)
  • (2) Search of Memory, if you are interested in learning and memory. 
  • (3) Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution, If you are interested in the origin of life.
  • If you like to borrow it, please ask Arisaka.
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.


[AB3] Project #AB3 the Second Book Review (End of the second months)
  • By the end of the second months, please read another book.
  • Write one-page report and post it at CCLE.