![Haofeng Lin Haofeng Lin](https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/styles/230x230/public/summer-scholars/lin_haofeng_headshot.jpeg?itok=_TBLupZQ&c=c14ab17dc4c1d6ef2e02e47335f584fa)
Over the summer, I worked in Dr. Vierling's Lab on a project involving Class I small heat shock proteins (sHSP) in Arabidopsis thaliana. These proteins are crucial for maintaining protein structure, especially in high-temperature conditions, making them increasingly important in the face of climate change. Our primary goal was to create null CI sHSP mutant plants using CRISPR-Cas technology. My time in the lab was spent screening seeds and conducting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiments. I also gained valuable hands-on experience in plant care and backcrossing techniques. Dr. Vierling's guidance was instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of these processes. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I am excited to continue my research in Dr.Vierling’s lab this school year.