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2009 Seed Fund Awards Material Matters: A Collaboration Between Archaeology and EngineeringRooted in existing collaborations between the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World and the Division of Engineering at Brown University, and in conjunction with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Alcock and Sheldon will develop and refine 3-D imaging techniques for archaeological analysis. Scholars at Brown University will have the capacity to be among the very first, world-wide, to assess the significant capabilities of Dual Beam microscopy and Neutron Imaging in the three-dimensional mapping of a range of artifact types. The resulting data will be of interest to both archaeologists and material scientists whose respective fields are joined by shared interests in material culture but which at present communicate far too little.Co-PIs: Susan E. Alcock, Director, Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, Joukowsky Family Professor of Archaeology, Professor of Classics; Professor of Anthropology; Brian W. Sheldon, Professor of Engineering Collaborators: Krysta Ryzewski, Postdoctoral Fellow in Archaeology and Engineering, Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World, Division of Engineering; Hassina Z. Bilheux, Senior Scientist and Instrument Developer, Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; David Paine, Professor of Engineering; John F. Cherry, Professor of Classics, Professor of Anthropology, Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World; Stephen D. Houston, Professor of Anthropology Discovering RNA Regulatory Elements in DrosophilaConserved DNA elements that regulate gene transcription are increasingly well understood, thanks to recent advances in genome location (ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq). However, cis-regulatory elements in RNA are less well resolved, and comparable technologies have yet to be developed. With the complete genomes of twelve species of Drosophila, opportunities present themselves to leverage the data-set into testable models for new RNA control elements. Previous studies have demonstrated that splicing enhancer motifs have signature distributions relative to splice signals. The project will apply this observation to discover sequences which are important for a variety of RNA processing or regulatory events. In addition, the project will perform powerful biochemical, genetic and targeted knockout experiments to test its hypotheses. PIs: Will Fairbrother, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry; Robert Reenan, Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry The Dawn of a New Era: Deciphering the past climatic and ecological changes using integrated DNA and lipid biomarker fingerprintsThis project aims to integrate state of the art DNA sequencing technology with established geochemical-paleobiological approaches to decipher past biotic and climatic changes with unprecedented specificity and accuracy. This research will demonstrate that DNA molecules preserved in anoxic lake sediments can be used to identify and quantify variations in photosynthetic microorganisms during the past ten thousand years. In addition, the project will reveal that DNA from fossil pollen grains in sediments allows quantification, at the species level, of past changes in grassland communities. The research will unite cutting-edge technologies in organic geochemistry at Brown and DNA sequencing at the Marine Biology Laboratory in an interdisciplinary collaboration. PI: Dr. Yongsong Huang, Associate Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University Co-PIs: Dr. Linda Amaral-Zettler, Associate Research Scientist, Marine Biology Laboratory, Assistant Professor, Brown-MBL Joint Graduate Program; Dr. Erika J. Edwards, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Dr. James Russell, Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences A New Method for Evaluating Vitamin D levels in Serum and SalivaThe ability to measure vitamin D levels accurately is an important tool in combating the increasing number of diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency. The project plans to develop a hand-held device that measures the level of vitamin D in a sample of serum or saliva from a patient, similar to a commercial glucose meter. Additionally, the integration of the platform with conventional MEMS technology will enable the construction of a miniaturized biosensor that can be mass-produced at low cost. Based on our preliminary results, a patent application has been filed, placing Brown at the forefront of research in electrochemically-based vitamin D sensors. PI: G. Tayhas R. Palmore, Professor of Engineering, Professor of Medical Science, Division of Engineering Co-PI: G. Satya Reddy, MD, Epimer, LLC, Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry
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External funding opportunitiesFor information about on-line sources for research funding, click here. Internal funding opportunities Past Awards |