Writing a Research Proposal

Go to: Laboratory Project Overview -- General Methods -- Mutant Isolation -- Screening Procedures -- Access to Databases -- Writing a Research Proposal -- Making Posters

After M3 seeds are collected from the mutant lines, you will conduct quantitative, controlled experiments to learn something about them. The ultimate goal of any mutant characterization is to identify the specific change in the mutant that causes the observed phenotype. It is impossible for us to reach that goal due to time constraints. Since mutants have already been isolated using most of the screens you will perform, the first approach to characterizing your mutants will be to repeat experiments already published. Comparisons of your results with those in the literature may allow you to determine whether you have isolated a mutation that is different from those already described. It is likely that you will isolate mutants that possess phenotypes that are different from those already characterized.

The experiments you conduct will depend on the type of mutant you isolate. For example, for pigment mutants you may want to separate the leaf pigments to determine whether all are present in lowered amounts or only one is missing. For agravitropic mutants you may want to determine whether the mutant is also resistant to auxin. Ideas for experiments must be developed after reading the literature.

After you have isolated mutants and know they will survive, but before any experiments are conducted your group will write a short (about 5 pages double spaced) proposal on what you intend to do with your Arabidopsis mutants. Submit one proposal per group. Each proposal should include:

1. An introduction containing background information from the literature (cite at least 5 sources).

2. A description of all of the mutants that you isolated and brief description of the phenotypes of similar mutants previously described.

3. An explanation of proposed experiments, and what you expect to learn from these experiments. Provide enough detail so that I can determine whether the equipment is feasible and supplies will be available. If materials need to be purchased, I need to know as soon as possible to allow time for delivery. Time may be short so be realistic as to what you intend to accomplish - you may have to repeat one experiment several times.

You may submit drafts for non-graded review up to 48 h before the deadline.

Go to: Laboratory Project Overview -- General Methods -- Mutant Isolation -- Screening Procedures -- Access to Databases -- Writing a Research Proposal -- Making Posters

James Madison University, Department of Biology
Jonathan D. Monroe, PhD
Comments to author: monroejd@jmu.edu