Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

The Potential Of Achiral Sponge-Derived And Synthetic Bromoindoles As Selective Cytotoxins Against Panc-1 Tumor Cells., Nicholas Lorig-Roach, Frances Hamkins-Indik, Tyler A. Johnson, Karen Tenney, Frederick A. Valeriote, Phillip Crews

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

Our quest to isolate and characterize natural products with in vitro solid tumor selectivity is driven by access to repositories of Indo-Pacific sponge extracts. In this project an extract of a species of Haplosclerida sponge obtained from the US NCI Natural Products Repository displayed, by in vitro disk diffusion assay (DDA) and IC

Novel Function Of Ceramide For Regulation Of Mitochondrial Atp Release In Astrocytes, Ji-Na Kong, Zhihui Zhu, Yutaka Itokazu, Guanghu Wang, Michael B. Dinkins, Liansheng Zhong, Hsuan-Pei Lin, Ahmed Elsherbini, Silvia Leanhart, Xue Jiang, Haiyan Qin, Wenbo Zhi, Stefka D. Spassieva, Erhard Bieberich

Physiology Faculty Publications

We reported that amyloid β peptide (Aβ₄₂) activated neutral SMase 2 (nSMase2), thereby increasing the concentration of the sphingolipid ceramide in astrocytes. Here, we show that Aβ₄₂ induced mitochondrial fragmentation in wild-type astrocytes, but not in nSMase2-deficient cells or astrocytes treated with fumonisin B1 (FB1), an inhibitor of ceramide synthases. Unexpectedly, ceramide depletion was concurrent with rapid movements of mitochondria, indicating an unknown function of ceramide for mitochondria. Using immunocytochemistry and super-resolution microscopy, we detected ceramide-enriched and mitochondria-associated membranes (CEMAMs) that were codistributed with microtubules. Interaction of ceramide with tubulin was confirmed by cross-linking to N-[9-(3-pent-4-ynyl-3-H-diazirine-3-yl)-nonanoyl]-D-erythro-sphingosine …

The Microbe Directory: An Annotated, Searchable Inventory Of Microbes’ Characteristics, Heba Shaaban, David A. Westfall, Rawhi Mohammad, David Danko, Daniela Bezdan, Ebrahim Afshinnekoo, Nicola Segata, Christopher E. Mason

Publications and Research

The Microbe Directory is a collective research effort to profile and annotate more than 7,500 unique microbial species from the MetaPhlAn2 database that includes bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. By collecting and summarizing data on various microbes’ characteristics, the project comprises a database that can be used downstream of large-scale metagenomic taxonomic analyses, allowing one to interpret and explore their taxonomic classifications to have a deeper understanding of the microbial ecosystem they are studying. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to: optimal pH, optimal temperature, Gram stain, biofilm-formation, spore-formation, antimicrobial resistance, and COGEM class risk rating. The database …

Model File Name: 1ehz-Trna(Thick).Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: 1ehz-tRNA(thick).stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of Phe-tRNA in a thick stick-representation (PDB: 1ehz), designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com under the name “tRNA-Phe small”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the following materials: Strong & Flexible Plastic and Elasto Plastic.

Model File Name: 1lmb-Dbd-Tfmono.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: 1lmb-DBD-TFmono.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of the DNA binding domain of a Lambda repressor transcription factor monomer that accompanies the full color DNA helix (PDB: 1lmb). It is in a cartoon ribbon representation with key amino acid residues in stick representation to highlight interactions with the DNA. This model is designed to accompany a teaching module illustrating transcription factor-DNA binding. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Lambda TF DBD”. This model has been printed …

Model File Name: 1ehz-Trna(Thin-Big).X3d, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: 1ehz-tRNA(thin-big).x3d

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of Phe-tRNA in a large, but thin stick-representation (PDB: 1ehz), designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Full color Phe-tRNA (1ehz)”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the following material: Strong & Flexible Plastic.

Model File Name: 1lmb-Dnalong_Fordimer-Test6b.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: 1lmb-DNAlong_fordimer-test6b.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of the 19-bp segment of DNA to which Lambda repressor transcription factor interacts (PDB: 1lmb). It is in a stick representation and has been designed with sites to add magnets to illustrate binding interactions with the transcription factor. Sphere magnets with a 1/8” diameter can be purchased separately from K&J Magnets. The model can interact with the dimer form of the transcription factor. This model is designed to accompany a teaching module illustrating transcription factor-DNA binding. The printable model …

Model File Name: 1lmb-Tfdimer-Mags-Joints-Jnd-Sc1-8-Parts-V4b.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: 1lmb-TFdimer-mags-joints-jnd-sc1-8-parts-v4b.stl

Additional files: 1lmb-Lys-Ser-extras-v4b.stl and 1lmb-TFdimer-Leu-v4b.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a ribbon and stick representation of the transcription factor lambda repressor (PDB: 1lmb). Key amino acid residues are in stick representation to illustrate the interactions between the repressor and the DNA to which it binds. Some of these residues have been designed with sites to add magnets to illustrate these interactions. Sphere magnets with a 1/8” diameter can be purchased separately from K&J Magnets. Some of the residues can be interchanged with other …

Model File Name: Dna-294bp-Magnet-Supercoil.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNA-294bp-magnet-supercoil.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a long, thin representation of double stranded DNA (294 bp). The DNA model has small sites on the ends where the user can glue magnets to mimic circular DNA, and to aid in manipulating the model. Disc magnets with a diameter of 1/8” or 1/10” and thickness of 1/16” can be purchased online from K&J Magnetics and glued into the magnet sites. The model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The model can …

Model File Name: Dna-294bp-Handle-Supercoil.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNA-294bp-handle-supercoil.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a long, thin representation of double stranded DNA (294 bp). The DNA model has small handles on the ends to aid in holding and manipulating the model. The model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The model can be accompanied by Nucleosome and H1 histone models to demonstrate DNA packaging in the cell. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “294bp DNA (handles)”. …

Model File Name: Dna-420bp-Handle-Supercoil.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNA-420bp-handle-supercoil.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a long, thin representation of double stranded DNA (420 bp). The DNA model has small handles on the ends to aid in holding and manipulating the model. The model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The model can be accompanied by Nucleosome and H1 histone models to demonstrate DNA packaging in the cell. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “420bp DNA (handles)”. …

Model File Name: Dnalong-3pc-Lego.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNAlong-3pc-Lego.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a stick representation of the DNA to which the transcription factor lambda repressor binds (PDB: 1lmb). This model can be adapted to accompany a teaching module illustrating transcription factor-DNA binding. The model has been designed in 3 parts that can be joined together by Lego®-style junctions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Lego DNA with GCbp”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser …

Model File Name: Dna-420bp-Magnet-Supercoil.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNA-420bp-magnet-supercoil.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Kalika Mahato, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a long, thin representation of double stranded DNA (420 bp). The DNA model has small sites on the ends where the user can glue magnets to mimic circular DNA, and to aid in manipulating the model. Disc magnets with a diameter of 1/8” or 1/10” and thickness of 1/16” can be purchased online from K&J Magnetics and glued into the magnet sites. The model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The model can …

Model File Name: H1-Protein.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: H1-protein.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a crude representation of an H1-protein intended to accompany the nucleosome and a long, thin double stranded DNA helix model in order to illustrate DNA packaging and supercoiling. This model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Histone H1 protein”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the following materials: Strong …

Model File Name: Dna-Short-Helix.X3d, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: DNA-short-helix.x3d

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a DNA helix in which the atoms are colored by heteroatom (PDB: 1lmb). This model is designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions, and with one that studies transcription factor-DNA binding. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “DNA helix - polynucleotide molecule”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ binder jetting printer in the Coated Full …

Model File Name: Ssdna.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: ssDNA.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a single stranded piece of DNA in stick representation (PDB: 1ehz). This model is designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “ssDNA”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the Elasto Plastic material.

Model File Name: Nucleosome.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: Nucleosome.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a crude representation of a nucleosome intended to accompany the H1 histone protein and a long, thin double stranded DNA helix model in order to illustrate DNA packaging and supercoiling. This model is designed to go with a teaching module on DNA supercoiling. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Nucleosome”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the Strong & Flexible …

Model File Name: Tf-Monomer-Stick.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: TF-monomer-stick.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a ribbon and stick representation of a Lambda repressor transcription factor monomer that accompanies the full color DNA helix (PDB: 1lmb). This model is designed to go with a teaching module illustrating transcription factor-DNA binding. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Lambda TF monomer”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the Strong & Flexible Plastic material.

Model File Name: Rna-Short-Helix.X3d, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: RNA-short-helix.x3d

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a DNA helix in which the atoms are colored by heteroatom (PDB: 1lmb). This model is designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “RNA helix - polynucleotide molecule”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ binder jetting printer in the Coated Full Color Sandstone material.

Video Guide To Design Flexible Dna.Mp4, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Christine S. Booth, Tomáš Helikar, Brian Couch, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: Video guide to design flexible DNA.mp4

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Christine S Booth, Tomas Helikar, Brian A Couch, Rebecca L Roston

This 30-minute video includes step-by-step instructions to design and 3-D print a long flexible DNA model that mimics the structure and function of DNA. The instructions are applicable for designing the model using open-source 3-D computer graphics software Blender 2.79 which is available for download at https://www.blender.org/download/.

.mp4 file download (70 MB) below.

Model File Name: Ssrna.Stl, Michelle Howell, Karin V. Van Dijk, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: ssRNA.stl

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Karin van Dijk, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a single stranded piece of RNA in stick representation (PDB: 1ehz). This model is designed to go with a teaching module comparing DNA and RNA basic structures and functions. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “ssRNA”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ laser sintering printer in the Elasto Plastic material.

Model File Name: Helix_H2o_Sphere2.Dae, Michelle Howell, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: Helix_H2O_sphere2.dae

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a space fill representation of a protein α-helix (PDB: 3vjo). A space fill water molecule is also represented to illustrate the lack of space down the axis of an α-helix. This model can accompany a corresponding stick representation, a kinked α-helix, and a β-sheet. This model is designed to accompany a teaching module illustrating protein secondary structure and function. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Helix and Water (Space-fill) …

Model File Name: Beta-Sheet_Rod 0.7.Dae, Michelle Howell, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: beta-sheet_rod 0.7.dae

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a stick representation of a protein β-sheet (PDB: 3vjo). This model is designed to accompany three other α-helix models: a space-fill representation of a straight α-helix, a stick representation of a straight α-helix, and a stick representation of a kinked α-helix. These models accompany a teaching module illustrating protein secondary structure and function. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Beta-sheet_Thick”. This model has been printed successfully using …

Model File Name: Alpha Helix Pro-Gly 0.7.Dae, Michelle Howell, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: alpha helix pro-gly 0.7.dae

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a stick representation of a protein α-helix with proline and glycine residues highlighted (PDB: 3vjo). This model is designed to accompany a straight α-helix in space fill representation, a straight α-helix in stick representation, and a stick β-sheet model as well as a teaching module illustrating protein secondary structure and function. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Alpha Helix_Pro-Gly”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters …

Model File Name: Alpha Helix 0.7.Dae, Michelle Howell, Rebecca Roston

3-D Printed Model Structural Files

Model file name: alpha helix 0.7.dae

Authors: Michelle E Howell, Rebecca L Roston

This is a teaching model of a stick representation of a protein α-helix (PDB: 3vjo). This model can accompany a corresponding space fill representation, a kinked α-helix, and a β-sheet. These models were designed to accompany a teaching module illustrating protein secondary structure and function. The printable model is already uploaded to Shapeways.com in the MacroMolecules shop under the name “Alpha Helix_Thick”. This model has been printed successfully using these parameters on Shapeways’ binder jetting printer in the Coated Full Color …

Modulation Of The Navigational Strategy Of Insects In Controlled Temperature Environments, Joseph Shomar, Anggie Ferrer, Josh Forer, Tom Zhang, Mason Klein

2018 Entries

With its small size and limited motor tool set, the Drosophila larva is a good system to study how animals alter specific elements of their behavior to search and reach optimal environmental conditions. We aim to understand the larva’s response to temperature across development, in sensory gradients, and to distinguish behavioral modulations based on physical changes from those due to sensory input. PID-controlled instruments drive temporal or spatial temperature gradients; combined with a moat system to replenish gels at high temperature, we can explore the larva’s full behavioral profile. Many larvae are simultaneously observed during free navigation in three different …

Benchmark Evaluation Of True Single Molecular Sequencing To Determine Cystic Fibrosis Airway Microbiome Diversity, Andrea Hahn, Matthew L. Bendall, Keylie M. Gibson, Hollis Chaney, Iman Sami, Geovanny F. Perez, Anastassios C. Koumbourlis, Timothy A. Mccaffrey, Robert J. Freishtat, Keith A Crandall

Computational Biology Institute

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease associated with recurrent lung infections that can lead to morbidity and mortality. The impact of antibiotics for treatment of acute pulmonary exacerbations on the CF airway microbiome remains unclear with prior studies giving conflicting results and being limited by their use of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Our primary objective was to validate the use of true single molecular sequencing (tSMS) and PathoScope in the analysis of the CF airway microbiome. Three control samples were created with differing amounts of Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Prevotella melaninogenica, three common bacteria found in cystic …

Crosstalk Among Lncrnas, Micrornas And Mrnas In The Muscle ‘Degradome’ Of Rainbow Trout, Bam Paneru, Ali Ali, Rafet Al-Tobasei, Brett Kenney, Mohamed Salem

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

In fish, protein-coding and noncoding genes involved in muscle atrophy are not fully characterized. In this study, we characterized coding and noncoding genes involved in gonadogenesis-associated muscle atrophy, and investigated the potential functional interplay between these genes. Using RNA- Seq, we compared expression pattern of mRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs of atrophying skeletal muscle from gravid females and control skeletal muscle from age-matched sterile individuals. A total of 852 mRNAs, 1,160 lncRNAs and 28 microRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) between the two groups. Muscle atrophy appears to be mediated by many genes encoding ubiquitin- proteasome system, autophagy related …

Audiobook Of A World From Dust, Ben Mcfarland

Faculty Open Access Books

A World From Dust is a popular science book about the chemical sequence behind the evolution of creation.

It’s about how geology, biology, and chemistry worked together over billions of years, providing a hidden order under the random flow of genes and lava and water.

It’s about the chemical job that each element takes up in life, and how that job is predictable from its place on the periodic table.

It can be told as the story of many elements: how iron and sulfur gave a spark of life; how manganese was a key for oxygen; and how copper and …

Examination Of Orthologous Genes (Mrub_2518 And B3728, Mrub_2519 And B3727, Mrub_2520 And B3726, Mrub_2521 And B3725) Responsible For Abc Phosphate Transporters In Two Species M. Ruber And E. Coli, Margaret Meyer, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

In this project we investigated the biological function of the genes b3725, b3726, b3727, b3728 and Mrub_2518, Mrub_2519, Mrub_2520 and Mrub_2521 (KEGG map number 02010). We predict that these genes encode the components of a Phosphate ABC transporter: Orthologous genes Mrub_2518 (DNA coordinates 2565359..2566438) and b3728 encodes the periplasmic phosphate binding component; Orthologous genes Mrub_2519 (DNA coordinates 2566499..2567485) and b3727, and Mrub_2520 (DNA coordinates 2567496..2568326) and b3726 encode for the two transmembrane proteins; Orthologous genes Mrub_2521 (DNA coordinates 2568338..2569159) and b3725 encode for the ATP binding protein within the cytoplasm. Within the two species, M. ruber and E. coli, …