Rajan Patel ’27, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Rajan Patel ’27

Major

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Project Title

Analyzing Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Developing Autoclavable Mycroplanters

Presentation Link

View Rajan's Presentation

Minor(s): Computer Science

I worked with transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana to screen 15 different combinations of plant lines and promoters for single insertion events. This involved processing 180 plants to seeds and planting them on kanamycin agar plates. Using Mendelian inheritance and the kanamycin resilience of different plant lines we were able to screen the plant lines for single insertion events. I adapted and developed mycroplanters, a series of planting wells used for the first 15 days of growth. I was responsible for developing the 3D printing process with high-temperature resin that enabled these planters to be autoclaved for sterilization. I also conducted a small experiment looking at how different combinations of bacteria in seed growth medium impacts plant growth using these mycroplanters. These mycroplanters may be used in the future for much larger experiments. I also had the opportunity to work on the Princeton Seed Farm, where I helped collect okra leaf samples and plant soybeans. Overall, this experience pushed me to develop research skills as well as engage in critical conversations, which has inspired me to continue exploring the intersections between biology and mechanical engineering.