Ask for a rotation:
Dear Dr. XXXX,
I am joining PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences this semester. I am particularly interested in your research. Since I want to study on a developmental biology related subject, I wonder if you could take me to your lab as a rotation student in this year. I believe that I will learn very much from your knowledge and experience. I'll also be happy if you can inform me briefly about on-going studies and any possible research I can do during my rotation in your lab.
Recently, I started to work with Dr. Ahmet Yildiz, 2005 Science Young Scientist Award GE prize winner, in the Vale Lab, UCSF. My current study is on flagellar surface motility and its relation with Intraflagellar transport (IFT) observed in Chlammy. Specifically, I am trying to track the position of the microsphere movements attached to a specific type of Raft by one-nanometer precision single molecule tracking technique called fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy (FIONA). Thus, I got experience in Chlamydomonas culture and advanced flourescence imaging. My previous study was with Dr. Emin Maltepe in Susan Fisher Lab, UCSF. Here, I worked on embryonic and trophoblast stem cells and trying to clarify epigenetic mechanisms regulating stem cell differentiation in placenta. In particular, my study was HIF-HDAC interactions and histone modifications. Therefore, I am experienced in ESC and TSC culture, cell treatment with hypoxia, total RNA isolation, extraction of nuclear and histone proteins and Western blotting. In addition, I got acquainted with fluorescence microscopy techniques, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and IVF (in-vitro fertilization) during my visits to another lab.
Last year I was a SURF student at Caltech. I studied on identification of transcription factors affecting dorsoletaral patterning in early Drosophila embryo in the Stathopoulos lab. In this project, my main approach was one-hybrid screens in yeast. Thus, I am also experienced with yeast culture, cloning, bacterial and yeast transformations, cDNA library preparations, Drosophila embryo collections and fixations.
I have graduated from Molecular Biology and Genetics, Middle East Technical University, Turkey. In my undergraduate, I learned and practiced basic molecular biology techniques such as PCR, DNA & RNA isolations from plant tissue, reverse PCR, electrophoresis techniques and use of FTIR spectrophotometer. Attached is a copy of my CV, which will give you greater detail regarding my education, laboratory experiences and other skills. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Fatih Kocabas
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Fatih KOCABAS
Vale Lab
Vale Lab
Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology,
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Cell Phone: 1-415-476-1573
www.fatihkocabas.net
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