How to make and present a poster Ellen M. Carpenter, Ph.D.

What is a poster? An organized visual display of your research project and findings Posters should be self-explanatory Posters should be concise

Necessary components Title/author(s) Abstract Background/significance Data/figures Summary/conclusions

Optional components Methods/approaches Future directions References Acknowledgements (include people who helped and funding sources such as scholarships to you and grants to your mentor)

Your Brilliant and Inspiring (but not overly long) Title Authors: You (first), your mentor (last), anyone else you worked with (in the middle) Department and Institution Abstract Background Information Background Information/M ethods, etc. Data figure Figure legend Conclusions (bullet points) explanation Future directions Data figure References Acknowledgements XXXyyyzzz222 Aaabbbccc777 cccn/adddkkk Table title Figure legend

How to put your poster together First, ask your mentor, or someone in your lab, if the lab has a particular style or format you should use If not, use the guidelines on the URC Science website for assistance tm

Or use a flash drive.

Your abstract Due Friday, May 8, 2015 by 5 PM. Use the Google submission form on the Neuroscience IDP website: poster-day.html Must be written in collaboration with and approved by your mentor BEFORE you turn it in

What is an abstract? A summary of the research to be presented Abstracts should be about words

General abstract guidelines Introductory sentence(s) Statement of hypothesis General methods/procedures used Primary result(s) Primary conclusion General statement of the significance of the research

Genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to a possible mouse model of autism Daniel Hoffman, Brian Mullen, Elvira Khialeeva, and Ellen M. Carpenter Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by deficits within three behavioral categories: social interaction, communication, and repetitive/restricted behaviors. While the exact mechanisms of the disorder are unknown, multiple models based on genetic and epigenetic factors have been suggested. One model proposes a combination of reelin deficiency and exposure to organophosphate pesticides. Reelin, an extracellular matrix protein, is responsible for neuronal migration and positioning in laminated structures in the brain. Genome-wide linkage studies show a connection between ASD and the 7q locus, where the reelin gene is located. ASD patients also show reduced levels of reelin protein and mRNA expression. Reelin function may be affected by organophosphate pesticides, which interfere with protein processing, thus exacerbating the effects of reduced reelin expression. We have created a potential ASD animal model using mice heterozygous for the reelin gene that were exposed prenatally to chlorpyrifos- oxon, an organophosphate pesticide, at a critical stage in neural development. We then tested several types of behavior in these animals and used histological and immunohistochemical analysis to see changes in the organization of several laminated brain structures. Our findings demonstrate subtle but significant changes in both behavior and brain anatomy and suggest that this mouse model may be useful in studying the underlying causes and possible treatments for ASD.

A timeline Abstracts are due May 8. Give your mentor a draft of your abstract by May 1, so you have a week to revise and rewrite. Start work on your figures and poster text by May 14. Assemble the figures and go over them with your mentor. Start assembling your powerpoint file on May 21. This will take several days, particularly to get figures correctly sized and imported. Print your poster at least one day in advance. Practice your presentation (aim for 10 minutes). Hang your poster up on May 28 and enjoy your moment of glory.

Your presentation minutes of talking (practice this beforehand) Be concise and specific Gauge the knowledge of your audience and tailor your presentation appropriately Be prepared to answer questions – What is the significance of your research? – What is your contribution to the project?

Caveats Every student must have their own poster and their own project Don’t make up answers to questions that you don’t know the answer to – saying “I don’t know, but I’d be happy to get back to you with an answer later” is fine Don’t take credit for someone else’s work

Be proud of your work! You have worked hard in a lab, and this is your chance to shine!