Primate Stem Cell Culture and Gene Expression

The Babbitt Lab studies primate brain evolution through comparative genomics. Our lab is primarily interested in differences at the gene expression level, and how changes in gene regulation over time can impact phenotypes at even the cellular level. We study a wide array of primate species, including humans. Our lab uses stem cells as a model in order to assess gene expression differences in the primate brain.

Our goal with this project is to generate neural cells for several individuals and species for RNA-sequencing. Undergraduate students will assist graduate students in thawing/growing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs will be induced into neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and further differentiated into astrocytes and neurons. From these three cell types, we will collect RNA for sequencing (allowing us to look at gene expression differences) as well as perform immunofluorescence imaging to validate cell type. We will analyze the data for differences in expression that help us to better understand the evolution of primate brains on a cellular level.

These roles have a lot of flexibility (as far as the time commitment and school year) based on your availability, but relative consistency over the semester is best because we grow any one cell line over several weeks to months. 
We will ask that all students complete the required EH&S Biosafety training before starting in the lab. 
 

Name of research group, project, or lab
Babbitt Lab
Why participate in this opportunity?

This is a great opportunity for students who would like to get lots of hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture as well as some molecular biology and bioinformatics. Stem cell research is an exciting field with rapid growth. Students interested in graduate school or biomedical research should find mammalian cell culture to be a popular research topic with many career opportunities. Our lab collaborates with many other research groups at institutions across the country, and we participate in research discussions both on campus and at academic conferences every year.

Our lab is at the forefront of primate stem cell research: we are working with an expanded set of primate stem cells that have yet to be neurally differentiated. Expanding our species library will allow us to gain a wider perspective on primate brain evolution, and allow us to see deeper into primate evolutionary history. The study of primate brain evolution in particular is relevant to human clinical research as well. We can use knowledge gained from looking at human’s closest relatives in order to better understand the development of human cognitive behavior as well as neurodegenerative diseases.
 

Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Genomics
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Student qualifications

Students interested in cell biology, genomics, and evolutionary biology are encouraged to apply (especially if interested in primate brain evolution and stem cell research)! No experience in mammalian cell culture is required, but this or any pipetting experience will be useful! Knowledge of proper sterile technique will also be extremely helpful (we will teach you this as well). 
A consistent schedule with the ability to maintain stem cells for a period of weeks to months long-term (including daily/every-other-day maintenance). Consider availability on weekends.
May need to move large/heavy wheeled-tanks of liquid nitrogen around the laboratory
Need to be able to sit and work in a hood continuously for 30+ minutes.
Be able to work independently in the lab (after being adequately trained).

 

Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Research - Independent Study or Research Assistant credit
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned

Basic Techniques:
Sterilize lab and refill 70% ethanol bottles
Maintaining Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) tank usage logs
Autoclaving waste
Changing liquid nitrogen tanks for the cryo-dewar 
Changing carbon dioxide tanks for the incubator

Intermediate Techniques (junior-level techniques):
Aliquot/make media and other reagents
Making extracellular matrix-coated plates for cell culture
Cell culture (aseptic technique): thaw, media changes, freezebacks, passages
Sterilize hot water bath and incubator RH pan

Advanced Techniques (senior-level techniques):
Immunofluorescent Imaging
RNA Extractions
Assisting with library preparation for RNA-seq
Assisting with bioinformatics (sequencing data analysis)
 

Project start
Fall 2025
Contact Information:
Mentor
cbabbitt@umass.edu
Principal Investigator
Name of project director or principal investigator
Courtney Babbitt
Email address of project director or principal investigator
cbabbitt@umass.edu
1 sp. | 57 appl.
Hours
5-7 h/wk
Project categories
Genomics