Grant proposal assignment and presentation purpose objectivet

1. Grant Proposal assignment and presentation:
Purpose/Objective:To critically evaluate an area of
biotechnology and propose new experiments targeting a
hypothesis. This assignment is a synthesis assignment that will
be completed through research over the course of the semester.
Skills: The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice
the following skills that are essential to your success in the
biological sciences and in professional life beyond school:
· analyzing primary scientific studies
· integrating information from multiple sources
· synthesizing and summarizing information using writing skills
· applying biotechnology principles to an area of study
· presenting the information to your peers
Criteria:
The grant proposal requirements are described below and will
be further discussed in class. All grant proposals will be
submitted in Brightspace by the due date/time. The penalty for
late submissions will be a 2 point deduction from the total
points possible for each day the assignment is turned in late.
The grant proposal presentations will be given during our class
the last two weeks of the semester. Each student will be
assigned randomly a number to determine the order of
presentations. Grading rubrics will be posted in Brightspace.
Grant proposal (written): 50 points
Students will:
· Choose an area related to biological science research that
incorporates biotechnology; examples of topics are listed on the
next page
· Research the topic and summarize the background and
significance
· Develop a hypothesis advancing this area of research
· Identify 2 to 3 specific aims that will address studies that you
would conduct to address your hypothesis.

2. · Explain the specific aims.
Written summaries must contain the following:
· 1 ½ to 2 page minimum
· Single spaced
· font no greater than 12 point
· one inch margins for all pages
· Background and Significance section (see examples) with
appropriate citations
· Specific Aims (see examples) with brief description of
biotechnology techniques utilized to address the question.
· A bibliography page
Grant proposal Presentation requirements: 50 points
Students will:
· present a 15 minute presentation of their grant proposal during
our class session the last two weeks of the semester
· prepare a powerpoint that contains the appropriate background
and significance related to their grant proposal topic.
· also include explanations of the specific aims with appropriate
explanation of the biotechnology tools/techniques proposed in
the grant proposal.
Presentations must contain the following:
· Appropriate background studies
· Identification of hypothesis for new studies
· Detailed explanation of specific aims including any
biotechnology tools/techniques used in the study
· identify any concerns related to the study design
· expected outcomes
All students are expected to attend and participate in the
presentations as listed in the course schedule. Failure to attend
and participate in the presentations will be reflected in your
grade. Specific presentation rubric will be posted in
Brightspace.
Example topics (This is short list! There are numerous choices
for topics…):
Circular RNA and cancer

3. Crispr and therapy delivery
Synthetic biology / De-extinction
mRNA vaccines
bioremediation
fish-farming practices
organoids
microfluidics
kidney on a chip
herbicide resistance: new ones
disease research
microbiomes
applications of new biotechnology to industry
Useful examples:
· You can look at funded NIH proposals here:
https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm
· Here you can find examples of the Background/Significance
and Specific Aims
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/sample-
applications#r01
Specific Examples:
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/sites/default/files/R01-Faubion-
app.pdf
pages 45 and 46
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/sites/default/files/R01_Jiang_Sample
_Application.pdf
pages 32 and 33