Yeast molelcular genetics, cell biology and biochemistry. Ribosome biogenesis. Nucleocytoplasmic transport. Ribonucleoprotein particles.

Ribosomes are your cell's nanomachines that decode your genetic information and synthesize all your proteins. Professor Johnson's lab is interested in how ribosomes are assembled and transported to their sites of function in the cytoplasm, how they are activated for translation and what is the fate of defective ribosomes. We use yeast as a model eukaryotic organism because it offers a great "tool kit" of reagents and techniques. Our work integrates genetic, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology. Undergraduate projects will be tailored to the student's ability and interests and range from genetic screens to in vitro biochemical assays. We currently have a range of projects available with mentorship opportunities with graduate students or postdocs in the lab. Professor Johnson would be happy to discuss research projects with interested undergraduates. Useful course work includes Microbiology lab, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and related labs.