A number of Biological Chemistry majors carry out undergraduate research with faculty mentors each summer as part of the Science Center summer research program. Often this research starts or continues in the academic year. In the summer of 2006 the following students worked in laboratories of faculty associated with the Biological Chemistry Program. Each student has briefly described the research she is carrying out.
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Rachel Buglione-Corbett, 2007
Advisor: David Haines
We are carrying out a chemical approach to treatment of type 2 diabetes by altering a synthetic agonist to have improved binding and activation of the GLP-1 receptor that induces the production and secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells. |
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Selasi Dankwa, 2007
Advisor: Kaye Peterman
My project is centered on determining if Patellin1 – a cell division protein identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana – has a domain to which PI5P, an important cell signaling molecule, binds. We hope to create a fusion protein containing the domain and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which will allow for imaging of PI5P in the cell via confocal microscopy.
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Michelle Nguyen, 2007
Advisor:Mary Allen
Using NMR spectroscopy, I am studying the homeostasis ability of cyanobacteria that are placed in acidic medium. I am also using fluorescent microscopy to study the viability of cells under different growth conditions such as acid stress. |
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Parul Sharma, 2007
Boryana Mihaylov, 2006
Advisor:Drew Webb
This summer we are conducting research in the Webb lab related to the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Our specific project involves mapping the site to which a novel monoclonal antibody CHO31.1 developed against pancreatic cancer binds. |
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Ruth Wang'ondu, 2007
Advisor:Jen Hood-Degrenier
We are interested in investigating the function of Clb5, a cyclin involved in S phase of the mitotic cylce in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, budding yeast. We use genetic screens to reveal the identity of genes whose gain or lose of function in mutant clb5 yeast cells suppress hypersensitivity to rapamycin, an antibiotic that inhibits cell proliferation. |
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Eleanor Fleming , 2008
Advisor: Don Elmore
We are studying Buforin II, a 21 amino acid cationic antimicrobial peptide. Using lipid vesicles as a model for cell membranes, we are analyzing Buforin's membrane binding and translocation abilities. |
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Monica Fung, 2008
Advisor:Mary Allen
I am characterizing the activity and synthesis of specific enzymes, amino acid decarboxylases, as an acid stress response in cyanobacteria. Decarboxylases are hypothesized to be responsible for the cells' ability to raise the pH of the medium in which they are growing. |
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Erika Uyterhoeven, 2008
Advisor:Don Elmore
The research in my lab is on the antimicrobial peptide buforin II. My portion of the project is on determining if there is a relationship between the minimum inhibitory constants and DNA binding affinity in wild type and altered form of buforin II.
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Theresa Vo, 2008
Maua Herme, 2006
Advisor:Mary Allen
We are using 2D gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF MS to study changes in polypeptides in cyanobacteria growing under different environmental conditions. Theresa is studying aspects of the regulation of nitrogen metabolism by trying to analyze a phosphorylated protein, PII, in cells that are grown in different nitrogen sources. Maua is carrying out proteomics of acid-stressed stationary phase cells. |
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Mackensie Yore, 2008
Advisor:Marc Tetel
I am part of a research team that studies how hormones work in the brain, in particular investigating the physical association between nuclear steroid receptors and co-activator proteins. In many instances, co-activators are required to maintain proper functioning of the estrogen and progestin receptors, which contribute to development and reproduction and have been implicated in certain diseases, including cancer. |