The Genomics Research Program at Trinity is a selective program that engages students in individual biological research beginning with their first semester of college. Developed in affiliation with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's National Genome Research Initiative, the program focuses on the discovery and characterization of previously unknown viruses that infect the bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis, a harmless relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The M. smegmatis bacterium is safe to work with and yet allows students to study a virus that could potentially attack the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Each student in Trinity's Genomics Research Program will:
Discover and describe a virus new to science.
Apply genomics research methods to characterize new viral genes.
Share findings nation-wide with other students in the HHMI National Genome Research Initiative.
There are five courses in the Genomics Research Program, finishing with a sophomore seminar that explores research throughout the wide range of biology. The program is compatible with all majors. Participation is by invitation; please contact Prof. Kathleen Archer for more information.