The University of Detroit Mercy reported that the National Science Foundation has issued a grant to the school to help facilitate easier access to research opportunities. 

The school said that through the grant they are able to expand their Fly-CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) undergraduate genetics lab course to more higher education institutions than ever before— 20 to be exact— with $300,000 in award funds over a three-year period. 

Detroit Mercy Associate Professor Jacob Kagey helped develop Fly-CURE in 2012, using research from his lab to study genetic mutations that lead to tissue overgrowth in fruit flies. It is hoped that the study of the fruit flies will offer a deeper understanding of similar diseases in humans. 

“The class was very successful; and a few years later, I began to work with colleagues at other universities to implement this project in their departments,” Kagey said in a release issued on the university's website. “We have, as a group, mapped many novel mutants and have published several publications with over 100 undergraduate co-authors. It is our hope that we can continue to identify novel genes and learn how mutations contribute to tumor development in humans.”

Other schools involved in the research include Albion College, Illinois State University, Nevada State College, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Evansville. The grant allows up to 13 more institutions to participate in the program.

Kagey noted that the program will help students who are interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees to venture down a path they might not have previously been interested in. 

“From a big-picture standpoint, these types of research experiences have shown to be instrumental in helping students better understand science and feel connected to the research community,” Kagey said in the release. 

The grant from NSF is part of their Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program.