Please contact Megan McClean (mmcclean at princeton.edu) for further information.

 Prospective projects for students include:

1. Signal Processing Capabilities in Single cells
   The aim of this research is to understand how signals (such as nutrient availability, heat stress, mating pheromones) are processed by the signaling pathways in single eukaryotic cells. Specifically, we look at signal processing in the osmotic stress response pathway in budding yeast. Characterization of the pathway response has implications for understanding how to intelligently design synthetic biological circuits. Current projects include studying the real-time response of single signaling pathways using novel microfluidic devices coupled with fluorescence microscopy.
    
2. Microfluidic platforms for studying single cells
   Our lab is interested in developing microfluidic platforms for studying single cells.   Projects include designing and fabricating micro-chemostats, high-throughput single-cell monitoring chambers, and on-chip valve systems for dynamic stimulation of cells with drugs and other stimuli.
    
3. Evolution in Changing Environments
   The goal of this project is to understand how cells adapt and evolve their signaling pathways to become more fit in environments that are dynamically changing. Projects include designing and fabricating a micro-chemostat for evolution experiments and studying the evolved cells. There are many aspects to the project including photolithography, microfluidics, and genetic engineering.