The Santiago-Martinez lab uses modern approaches to investigate ancient things.

-by Stacey Hanlon

Cellular life on Earth can be classified into one of three domains: Eukarya (Eukaryota), Bacteria, and Archaea.

Though most of us are familiar with species that fall into the Eukaryota and Bacteria domains, those belonging to the Archaea domain are often ignored despite being found all around us.  From the Greek word meaning “ancient things,” archaea are found in a variety of harsh environments like boiling-hot geysers and salt lakes, but they can also be found in the soil and the digestive tracts of several animals, including humans. The Archaea domain was established in the late 1970s after scientists began using genetic sequence (rather than physical characteristics) to classify organisms and reveal how closely they are related[1]. The significant difference between the genetic sequences of microbes that physiologically appeared to be very similar to one another led scientists to establish the Archaea domain to separate these species from Bacteria and Eukaryota.

The All-Biology Colloquium was held with great success on Friday, April 26, 2024. The Colloquium showcased undergraduate research occurring in the three Biology departments at UConn. Award winners were celebrated at a reception prior to the graduation ceremonies on May 5. Congratulations to these exceptional students!

Biology Director’s Award: Carrie Epstein (PNB) and Alana Grant (PNB)

CT State Museum of Natural History Award: Sila Inanoglu (EEB)

Excellence in Applied Genetics: Sindy Gorka (MCB)

Margaret Ertman Award: Olivia Bowes (MCB)

Outstanding Senior in EEB: Laurel Humphrey (EEB ) and Annaliese Seibel (EEB)

Outstanding Senior in PNB: Akshara Iyer (PNB)

Outstanding Senior in MCB: Emma Beard (MCB)

Paxton Tomko ’24 is a molecular and cell biology major and her faculty mentor is Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology/Microbiology Geo Santiago-Martínez. In the fall, she will be starting a master’s in oceanography at UConn Avery Point, working with Professor of Marine Sciences Pieter Visscher. Tomko’s research interests are in geobiology and astrobiology and is interested in stromatolites as biosignatures and the role that methanogens play in microbial mats.

Learn more about NSF-GRFP and UConn's recipients

2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) Awards have been announced. Of the 50 recipients, 13 are Molecular and Cell Biology majors! These students were selected from a strong group of applicants representing diverse areas of academic inquiry.