Developmental biologist receives NSF award to study the organization of the cell nucleus

Kennesaw, Ga (Feb 2, 2021) — Dr. Anton Bryantsev, Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Kennesaw State University College of Science and Mathematics, has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the organization of the cell nucleus. The project’s long-term goal is to gain practical means to influence nuclear processes for research and biotechnological needs.

The three-year $419,789 grant was funded through an NSF program called Facilitating Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (RUI). This funding opportunity’s objective is to engage RUI faculty members in their professional fields, build capacity for research at their institutions, and support the engagement of undergraduate researchers.

The RUI program is open to Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions with Associate’s, Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees in NSF-supported fields, who have awarded 20 or fewer Ph.D/D.Sci degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the combined previous two academic years.

Dr. Bryantsev’s application was a result of his participation in the 2020 Summer Research Fellows program, a new initiative developed by Kennesaw State University Office of Research to support faculty in their pursuit of external research funding, especially opportunities involving undergraduate researchers. This is the first grant from the NSF that Dr. Bryantsev received as the principal investigator during his term at Kennesaw State University. 

– Joëlle Walls