2'-O-Methyl Substitutions In The Yeast Telomerase Pseudoknot And Their Effects On Telomerase Activity,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
2'-O-Methyl Substitutions In The Yeast Telomerase Pseudoknot And Their Effects On Telomerase Activity, Katelyn Mae Jasper
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that synthesizes telomeric repeats at the ends of linear chromosomes to form the DNA–protein complexes known as telomeres. Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from degradation during replication due to the end-replication problem. When replication occurs, gaps are created at the beginning of the lagging and leading strands that result in the loss of a small amount of DNA at every replication cycle. By adding thousands of copies of telomeric repeats, the repeats are lost in the replication process and not precious genetic information. The telomerase RNA varies drastically among different species both in …
Structure-Activity Relationship Of 2,3-Benzodiazepin-4-Ones As Noncompetitive Ampa Receptor Antagonists,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Structure-Activity Relationship Of 2,3-Benzodiazepin-4-Ones As Noncompetitive Ampa Receptor Antagonists, Mohammad Shaban Qneibi
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
2,3-Benzodiazepin-4-one (BDZ-11) derivatives are a special group of 2,3-benzodiazepine compounds. These compounds have been previously synthesized as AMPA receptor inhibitors, and they are also potential drugs for the treatment of various neurological diseases involving excessive AMPA receptor activity. AMPA receptors are a subtype of glutamate ion channel proteins and are responsible for the majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system. Specifically, they are critically involved in neuronal development and brain activities, including learning and memory. Overstimulation of AMPA receptors is associated with some neurological diseases such as ALS, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Despite the fact that hundreds …
Characterizing The Effects Of Glutaraldehyde On The Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Characterizing The Effects Of Glutaraldehyde On The Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel, Joshua Dov Strauss
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are large intracellular calcium release channels, which
New Tools To Study Amyloid Fibrils And Intrinsically Disordered Proteins In Vitro And In Vivo,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
New Tools To Study Amyloid Fibrils And Intrinsically Disordered Proteins In Vitro And In Vivo, Jacqueline D. Washington
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Amyloid fibrils are β-sheet-rich protein aggregates commonly found in the organs and tissues of patients with various amyloid-associated diseases. The structure of insulin fibrils was characterized by deep ultraviolet resonance Raman and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy combined with hydrogen-deuterium exchange. Our new approach of combining NMR and Raman spectroscopy with molecular dynamic simulations for characterizing amyloid fibrils provided exclusive knowledge about fibril structure at amino acid residue resolution.
Y-Family Dna Polymerases : Mechanism Of Single-Base Deletion And Effect Of Pcna Interaction,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Y-Family Dna Polymerases : Mechanism Of Single-Base Deletion And Effect Of Pcna Interaction, Yifeng Wu
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Translesional synthesis (TLS) by specialized Y-family DNA polymerases is a DNA damage tolerance pathway to bypass DNA lesions that have not been repaired by other DNA repair mechanisms. Despite their valuable lesion bypass ability, the Y-family DNA polymerases display a much lower fidelity upon replicating undamaged DNA. Their activity therefore needs to be well regulated in the cell. In our first project, we examined how an archaeal Y-family DNA polymerase, Dpo4, makes single-base deletions during replication. Dpo4 belongs to the DinB subfamily which is known to make single-base deletions. Although previous studies suggested that it uses a dNTP-stabilized misalignment mechanism, …
Structural Biology Of The Receptor For Advanced Glycation End Products (Rage),
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Structural Biology Of The Receptor For Advanced Glycation End Products (Rage), Jing Xue
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The receptor for advanced glycated end products (RAGE), due to its location in the major histocompatibility complex class III (MHC III) region, suggests its involvement in immune responses. Because RAGE has been linked to complications of diabetes and chronic inflammation, the severity of Alzheimer's disease and cancer, it's significant to understanding the biological mechanism of signal transduction of RAGE.
Molecular Biochemical Study Of The Cataract-Associated Mutants In Human Gammad-Crystallin,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Molecular Biochemical Study Of The Cataract-Associated Mutants In Human Gammad-Crystallin, Cindy Yeung
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Cataract is a vision impairment disease that leads to light scattering and opacity of the eye lens. It is recognized as the most prevalent cause of blindness. Most cataracts occur due to aging, but those that occur in childhood or in young adults are typically of genetic origin. In the young (developing) eye, post–surgical complications such as glaucoma are common after cataract surgery. Hence there is a great need to develop non-surgical intervention strategies for the treatment of cataract. Here, two cataract-associated mutants of human γD-crystallin (HGD): i) Arg76 to Ser (R76S) and ii) a truncation mutation at Trp156 (W156X …
The Sxrna Platform : Biophysical Characterization Of Trans-Acting Rna Switches For Gene Expression Control,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
The Sxrna Platform : Biophysical Characterization Of Trans-Acting Rna Switches For Gene Expression Control, Christine Bazinet
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
In the past decade, microRNAs (miRNAs) have become a hot topic in biochemical research. These very short ~ 22 nucleotide strands of RNA have been recognized as a functional RNA group and found to play a key role in mediating gene regulation along with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). For example, by binding to the histone stem-loop (HSL) region of the target mRNA, normally in the 3'- untranslated region (UTR), gene expression can either be activated or deactivated for up or down regulation of the gene product. The majority of miRNAs have been found to down regulate gene expression upon binding to …
Protein Structures Under Physiological Conditions,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Protein Structures Under Physiological Conditions, Karl Michael Bertrand
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
My research focused on the evaluation of protein structures and protein dynamics inside eukaryotic cells under physiological conditions. The primary analyses of my research involved the use of in-cell Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy using Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence experiments. This allowed me to visualize protein structures at an atomic resolution level, as well as, study the interactions of these proteins with small molecules.
Mutational Analysis Of An Rna Aptamer,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
Mutational Analysis Of An Rna Aptamer, Deblina Biswas
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Aptamers are oligonucleotide molecules (DNA or RNA) that are selected against specific target proteins, nucleic acids or small molecules by using the well established technique of SELEX (Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment). Their ability to bind with high affinity and specificity has opened up a wide arena of scientific applications. Aptamers have been shown to have many potential therapeutic and bioanalytical contributions such as in the treatment of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and other major ailments. The aim of this dissertation is to study and analyze double transversion involving 4 bases in a RNA aptamer molecule: MinB4-au-flipS clamp …
(S)-Trifluoroselenomethionine : A New Non-Natural Amino Acid With Enhanced Methioninase-Induced Cytotoxicity Toward Human Colon Cancer Cells,
2013
University at Albany, State University of New York
(S)-Trifluoroselenomethionine : A New Non-Natural Amino Acid With Enhanced Methioninase-Induced Cytotoxicity Toward Human Colon Cancer Cells, Stephene Nathele Lodge
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Abstract
Rna Interference Of Ctla4 In Human Leukaemia T Cells,
2013
Technological University Dublin
Rna Interference Of Ctla4 In Human Leukaemia T Cells, Ralitsa Vassileva
Doctoral
The activation of naive T cells is essential for the initiation of the adaptive immunity. One promising approach to overcome immunological tolerance involves augmenting endogenous T cell-mediated immunity by interrupting the T cell down-regulatory pathways. In this project a gene therapy delivery system to overexpress small interfering RNA was used to silence the inhibitory signals induced by CTLA4. A small hairpin RNA duplex designed to silence expression of CTLA4 was successfully cloned into a plasmid. A stably transfected T cell line that is expressing constitutively the CTLA4 siRNA has been developed as a model to understand the role of CTLA4 …
Fabrication Of Responsive Polymer Brushes For Patterned Cell Growth And Detachment,
2013
Wright State University
Fabrication Of Responsive Polymer Brushes For Patterned Cell Growth And Detachment, Ashley B. Sutherland
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Patterned polymer brushes are used in biological applications to enhance cell function and to achieve selective cell growth. These patterned surfaces have a variety of applications, including cell sheet harvesting and tissue engineering. This work describes creation of chemical, topological, and responsive patterns on glass by sequential surface-initiated polymerization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pNIPAM-co-HEMA) and subsequent use of UV lithography to pattern the surface with pNIPAM. The cell adhesion peptide, RGD, is then immobilized on the surface of the copolymer pHEMA via DSC-coupling to spatially enhance cell adhesion properties. By culturing cells at 37 degrees celsius, cells selectively grow on DSC-activated …
Histone Deacetylation As A Mechanism Of Ypel3 Down-Regulation In Er-A Positive Breast Cancer Cell Lines,
2013
Wright State University
Histone Deacetylation As A Mechanism Of Ypel3 Down-Regulation In Er-A Positive Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Remah Ali
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
YPEL3 is a growth inhibitory gene that was established by our laboratory to trigger senescence in both primary and tumor cells. We recently reported YPEL3 to be directly repressed by estrogen in estrogen receptor-a positive (ER-a +ve) breast cancer cell lines. Here, we set out to determine whether the repression of YPEL3 involves histone deacetylation and, if so, elucidate the molecular mechanism of this activity. MCF-7, T-47D, and ZR-75.1 (all ER-a +ve) breast cancer cell lines were treated with varying doses of the global histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), trichostatin A (TSA) or suberoyl anilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), for 24, 48 …
An Acid Catalyzed Reversible Ring-Opening/Ring-Closure Reaction Involving A Cyano-Rhodamine Spirolactam,
2013
University of South Carolina - Columbia
An Acid Catalyzed Reversible Ring-Opening/Ring-Closure Reaction Involving A Cyano-Rhodamine Spirolactam, H. Li, H. Guan, X. Duan, J. Hu, Guiren Wang, Qian Wang
Faculty Publications
Cyanamide was introduced into the rhodamine spirolactam framework to produce a colorless and non-fluorescent compound RBCN. It shows a reversible ring-opening/ring-closure process in response to the solution pH, which exhibits an “ON/OFF” switching in its fluorescence. Different from other rhodamine-type dyes, the ring-open form of RBCN is stable in protic solvents under neutral, near neutral and basic conditions, showing a pink color and very strong fluorescence. We also demonstrated the potential of RBCN in live cell imaging.
Boronic Acids As Penicillinase Inhibitors,
2013
Graduate Center, City University of New York
Boronic Acids As Penicillinase Inhibitors, Juan F. Barquero
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
β-lactamases are enzymes produced by bacteria resistant to antibiotics. A common feature on beta lactam antibiotics is the beta-lactam ring. β-lactamases hydrolyze the β-lactam ring leaving the antibiotic inoperative. The advent of bacteria that are resistant to β-lactams has impelled researchers to find inhibitors for β-lactamases that mimic the lactam ring but do not get hydrolyzed. One group of these new antibiotics is the aryl boronic acids. The main reason the boronic acids have been chosen as potential drugs is their lack of toxicity and their easy excretion in the urine. One of the most important structural features of these …
Executing And Teaching Science--The Breast Cancer Genetics And Technology-Rich Curriculum Professional Development Studies Of A Science Educator,
2013
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Executing And Teaching Science--The Breast Cancer Genetics And Technology-Rich Curriculum Professional Development Studies Of A Science Educator, Regina Evarn Wragg
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation presents my explorations in both molecular biology and science education research. In study one, we determined the ADIPOQ and ADIPORI genotypes of 364 White and 148 Black BrCa patients and used dominant model univariate logistic regression analyses to determine individual SNP and haplotype associations with tumor or patient characteristics in a case-case comparison. We found twelve associations between individual SNPs and patient or tumor characteristics that impact BrCa prognosis. For example, the ADIPOQ rs1501299 C allele was associated with ER+ tumors (OR=4.73, p=0.001) among White women >50 years of age at their time of diagnosis. Also, the A …
Osteogenic And Antimicrobial Nanoparticulate Calcium Phosphate And Poly-(D, L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Powders For The Treatment Of Osteomyelitis,
2013
Chapman University
Osteogenic And Antimicrobial Nanoparticulate Calcium Phosphate And Poly-(D, L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Powders For The Treatment Of Osteomyelitis, Vuk Uskoković, Charles Hoover, Marija Vukomanović, Dragan P. Uskoković, Tejal A. Dasai, Charles Hoover, Marija Vukomanović, Dragan P. Uskoković, Tejal A. Dasai
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
Development of a material for simultaneous sustained and localized delivery of antibiotics and induction of spontaneous regeneration of hard tissues affected by osteomyelitis stands for an important clinical need. In this work, a comparative analysis of the bacterial and osteoblastic cell response to two different nanoparticulate carriers of clindamycin, an antibiotic commonly prescribed in the treatment of bone infection, one composed of calcium phosphate and the other comprising poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-coated calcium phosphate, was carried out. Three different non-cytotoxic phases of calcium phosphate, exhibiting dissolution and drug release profiles in the range of one week to two months to one year, respectively, …
Phase Composition Control Of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles For Tunable Drug Delivery Kinetics And Treatment Of Osteomyelitis. Part 2: Antibacterial And Osteoblastic Response,
2013
Chapman University
Phase Composition Control Of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles For Tunable Drug Delivery Kinetics And Treatment Of Osteomyelitis. Part 2: Antibacterial And Osteoblastic Response, Vuk Uskoković, Tejal A. Dasai
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
Osteomyelitis has been traditionally treated by the combination of long-term antibiotic therapies and surgical removal of diseased tissue. The multifunctional material was developed in this study with the aim to improve this therapeutic approach by: (a) enabling locally delivered and sustained release of antibiotics at a tunable rate, so as to eliminate the need for repetitive administration of systemically distributed antibiotics; and (b) controllably dissolving itself, so as to promote natural remineralization of the portion of bone lost to disease. We report hereby on the effect of the previously synthesized calcium phosphates (CAPs) with tunable solubilities and drug release time …
Nanoparticles Of Cobalt-Substituted Hydroxyapatite In Regeneration Of Mandibular Osteoporotic Bones,
2013
Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Nanoparticles Of Cobalt-Substituted Hydroxyapatite In Regeneration Of Mandibular Osteoporotic Bones, Nenad Ignjatović, Zorica Ajduković, Vojin Savić, Stevo Najman, Dragan Mihailović, Perica Vasilijević, Zoran Stojanović, Vuk Uskoković, Dragab Uskoković
Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research
Indications exist that paramagnetic calcium phosphates may be able to promote regeneration of bone faster than their regular, diamagnetic counterparts. In this study, analyzed was the influence of paramagnetic cobalt-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on osteoporotic alveolar bone regeneration in rats. Simultaneously, biocompatibility of the material was tested in vitro, on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 and epithelial Caco-2 cells in culture. The material was shown to be biocompatible and nontoxic when added to epithelial monolayers in vitro, while it caused a substantial decrease in the cell viability as well as deformation of the cytoskeleton and cell morphology when incubated with the osteoblastic …
