Implications Of Type Iv Pilus Retraction For Dna Uptake By Acinetobacter Baumannii,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Implications Of Type Iv Pilus Retraction For Dna Uptake By Acinetobacter Baumannii, Yafan Yu
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via natural competence allows bacteria to incorporate extracellular DNA (eDNA) into their genomes, facilitating genetic diversity and adaptation. In Acinetobacter species, natural competence depends on DNA binding and uptake mediated by type IV pili (T4P). T4P are dynamic extracellular filaments composed primarily of the major pilin subunit PilA, along with a few minor subunits. T4P drive a range of cellular functions including twitching motility, biofilm formation, and DNA uptake, with some functions dependent on pilus retraction and others not. However, how Acinetobacter T4P bind DNA and how T4P/eDNA interactions impact biofilm formation remain unclear. Here, I …
Amyloid Aggregation And Mitigation,
2025
Clemson University
Amyloid Aggregation And Mitigation, Zhenzhen Zhang
All Dissertations
The buildup of protein in tissues and organs plays a major role in unfunctional several serious diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Type 2 diabetes, each tied to specific proteins that form harmful amyloid deposits. Amyloid aggregation typically follows a sigmoidal kinetic curve, beginning with a slow lag phase, followed by rapid fibril growth, and eventually reaching a plateau where mature, stable fibrils are formed. However, the early stage of aggregation remains particularly difficult to capture experimentally due to the highly dynamic nature and low abundance of small oligomeric species. In this dissertation, we employed discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) …
Developing An Unfolding-Incorporated Coarse-Grained Polymer Model For Fibrinogen To Study The Mechanical Behaviour,
2025
Bennett University, India
Developing An Unfolding-Incorporated Coarse-Grained Polymer Model For Fibrinogen To Study The Mechanical Behaviour, Vivek Sharma, Poulomi Sadhukhan
Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)
Fibrinogen is a protein found in blood that forms Fibrin polymer network to build a clot during wound healing process when there is a cut in the blood vessel. The fibrin fiber is highly stretchable and shows a complex mechanical properties. The fibrin monomer, Fibrinogen, has a very complex structure which is responsible for its unusual elastic behaviour. In this work, we focus on mechanism of unfolding of D-domain of Fibrinogen, and study its effect in the mechanical behaviour. We develop a coarse-grained (CG) bead-spring model for Fibrinogen which captures the unfolding of folded D-domains along with other necessary structural …
The Fractography Of Bone: Impact Of Flat Bone And The Story It Tells,
2025
Pepperdine University
The Fractography Of Bone: Impact Of Flat Bone And The Story It Tells, Abigail Hoffmeister, Chase Freeman, Brandon Mendoza, Nathaniel Fitch, Annie Markarian, Jack Tran, Joshua Lau, Nicholas Tran
Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium
Fractography as a method for fracture analysis has been applied widely to materials that range from glass to ceramics and polymers of varying compositions. Very limited research has been done, however, to apply this knowledge of fractography and fracture patterns to bone. With the goal of telling the story of how a bone was broken, this research focuses on observing known patterns of fracture in polymers, and applying these patterns to bone. For the purposes of this research, porcine scapulae were acquired, dissected from surrounding tissue, and broken using a standardized weight drop at varying heights. The fractured bone was …
Host P53 Expression During C. Parvum Infection…Does The Virus Play A Role?,
2025
Pace University
Host P53 Expression During C. Parvum Infection…Does The Virus Play A Role?, Jasdeep Kaur Dhanoa
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
C. parvum infection induces significant host cellular stress responses, particularly through the modulation of p53 expression underscoring its potential involvement in gastrointestinal malignancies. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic interventions. This study investigated the effects of C. parvum infection on host p53 dynamics in HCT-8 cells and assessed the impact of antiviral agents Lamivudine and Amantadine on the virus CSpV1 present within the parasite C. parvum. Further, the study focuses on whether the p53 effect changes with the presence or absence of CSpV1. The p53 assay results showed a constant increase in p53 activity after infection of …
Painting Rich Six-Dimensional Pictures Using Polarized Fluorescence Microscopy,
2025
Washington University in St. Louis
Painting Rich Six-Dimensional Pictures Using Polarized Fluorescence Microscopy, Matthew D. Lew
Electrical & Systems Engineering Publications and Presentations
No abstract provided.
Overexpression And Biophysical And Functional Characterization Of A Recombinant Fgf21,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Overexpression And Biophysical And Functional Characterization Of A Recombinant Fgf21, Phuc Phan, Jason Hoang, Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh Kumar
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine FGF that plays a vital role in regulating essential metabolic pathways. FGF21 increases glucose uptake by cells, promotes fatty acid oxidation, reduces blood glucose levels, and alleviates metabolic diseases. However, detailed studies on its stability and biophysical characteristics have not been reported. Herein, we present the overexpression, biophysical characterization, and metabolic activity of a soluble recombinant FGF21 (rFGF21). The far-UV circular dichroism spectra of rFGF21 show a negative trough at 215 nm, indicating that the protein’s backbone predominantly adopts a β sheet conformation. rFGF21 shows intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence at 305 nm. Thermal …
Probing The Stability Of Designed Protein,
2025
South Dakota State University
Probing The Stability Of Designed Protein, Axel Irianni, Shuvo Chakraborty, Maral Afshinpour
SDSU Data Science Symposium
Naturally occurring proteins have evolved to perform specific biochemical functions, and their amino acid sequences are optimized for those functions rather than for stability. Enhancing protein stability without compromising its function is highly desirable for biotechnological applications, such as vaccine design. Computational protein design algorithms offer a solution by making targeted amino acid changes to the native protein sequence, potentially enhancing stability without the need for the lengthy, labor-intensive, and costly experimental processes typically involved in stabilizing proteins. There are various categories of computational protein design algorithms, and it remains unclear which approach is the most effective. In this study, …
Conformation And Membrane Topology Of The N-Terminal Ectodomain Of Influenza A M2 Protein,
2025
Swarthmore College
Conformation And Membrane Topology Of The N-Terminal Ectodomain Of Influenza A M2 Protein, Kyra C. Roepke , '24, Kathleen P. Howard
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Works
The N-terminal ectodomain of the influenza A M2 protein is a target for universal influenza vaccine development and novel antiviral strategies. Despite the significance of this domain, it is poorly understood and most structural studies of the M2 protein have disregarded the N-terminal ectodomain in their analyses. Here, we report conformational properties and describe insights into the membrane topology of sites along the N-terminal ectodomain. Full-length M2 protein is embedded in lipid bilayer nanodiscs and studied using site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results are consistent with a turn in the middle of the ectodomain that changes in proximity …
Ivy Proteins As Guardians Of Bacterial Cell Wall Integrity: Regulation Of Lytic Transglycosylases Explored,
2025
Kennesaw State University
Ivy Proteins As Guardians Of Bacterial Cell Wall Integrity: Regulation Of Lytic Transglycosylases Explored, Aamna Aijaz, Trinity E. Alamutu, Vy T. Dao, Nathaniel R. Davis, Michael D. Landers, Nykolas K. Mackevicius, Liliana Ortiz, Irina F. Padilla-Montoya, Kacy J. Smith, Maria L. Snyder, Anthony J. Stefanie, Blaise M. Williams, Thomas C. Leeper
The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research
Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are bacterial enzymes involved in biosynthesis and maintenance of the peptidoglycan cell wall. LTs are reported to be regulated by two paralogs of Inhibitor of Vertebrate Lysozymes: Ivyp1 and Ivyp2. This study investigated the regulatory dynamics between the soluble LT (SltB1), and Ivy paralogs as putative regulators in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). The secondary objective was to delineate the critical roles played by a glutamic acid at position 135 in SltB1 and a histidine at position 62 in Ivyp1 in governing their molecular interaction through site directed mutagenesis. Isolated SltB1 shows no lytic activity in our assay, in …
The Role Of Secondary And Tertiary Structure In The Cap-Independent Translation Of Fgf-9 And Hif-1-Alpha,
2025
CUNY Graduate Center
The Role Of Secondary And Tertiary Structure In The Cap-Independent Translation Of Fgf-9 And Hif-1-Alpha, Amanda Michelle Whittaker
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Under normoxic conditions, eukaryotes initiate translation of RNA through eIF4E recognition of the 5’ cap. However, under cellular stress, eukaryotic translation must be initiated through a 4E-independent, or “cap-independent” mechanism, involving eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) binding directly to the 5’ untranslated regions (5’ UTR) of the RNA. eIF4G binding then recruits the ribosome to the transcript. While this mechanism is useful for translation of apoptotic transcripts and transcripts involved in cell survival, cap-independent translation is also utilized by oncogenic RNA for tumorigenesis. Previous work by our lab and others has categorized this recruitment and initiation mechanism as either internal-ribosome-entry-site …
Taming Biological Complexity Through The Use Of Symmetries,
2025
CUNY Graduate Center
Taming Biological Complexity Through The Use Of Symmetries, Luis A. Álvarez-García
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
The study of biological systems is, inherently, the study of very complex systems. This is essentially due to the fact that they are made up of numerous, often very complicated, interactions between an extensive number of components. Often necessitating an abundance of quantitative parameters and details for a precise description. The human brain for ex- ample, consisting of ∼ 80 billion neurons with ∼ 800 to 100 trillion connections between them, each of them depending on a large set of parameters. Even simpler examples such as bacterial organisms, such as E. coli and B. subtilis, which we focus on …
Characterization Of The Roles Of U1-70k In Alternative Splicing And Nuclear Speckle Formation,
2025
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Characterization Of The Roles Of U1-70k In Alternative Splicing And Nuclear Speckle Formation, Trenton Myers Paul
All ETDs from UAB
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in RNA processing and regulation. Among these RBPs, U1-70K is a key protein involved in RNA processing, nuclear speckle formation, and has implications in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Despite its significance in transcription, RNA processing, nuclear speckle formation, and nonsense-mediated decay, studies on U1-70K have been limited primarily to its well-structured N-terminal domain due to challenges in solubilizing and expressing the full-length protein. In this dissertation, we address these challenges by optimizing cell strain and co expressing DnaK and DnaJ, enabling the successful expression, solubilization, and purification of full-length U1-70K. Using fluorescence polarization …
Controlled By Disorder: Modifications To An Unstructured C-Terminal Region Alter Srsf1'S Intramolecular Interactions And Tendency To Phase Separate,
2025
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Controlled By Disorder: Modifications To An Unstructured C-Terminal Region Alter Srsf1'S Intramolecular Interactions And Tendency To Phase Separate, Talia Fargason
All ETDs from UAB
The protein Serine-Arginine-rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) is essential in multiple stages of the mRNA lifecycle, including alternative splicing, nonsense-mediated decay, and nuclear export. SRSF1’s dysfunction is linked to cancers, viral evasion, and developmental disorders. Its function depends on interactions between structured and unstructured regions, modulated by phosphorylation. However, the unstructured regions, while critical for regulation, contribute to protein insolubility, hindering full-length studies. Prior to the work presented here, structural studies of SRSF1 were limited to analysis of its isolated domains. This dissertation develops new techniques to characterize SRSF1, focusing on its intermolecular interactions driving phase separation and intramolecular interactions …
Unraveling The Kinetic Mechanisms Of Protein Unfolding And Translocation Catalyzed By Hsp100 Unfoldases,
2025
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Unraveling The Kinetic Mechanisms Of Protein Unfolding And Translocation Catalyzed By Hsp100 Unfoldases, Jaskamaljot Kaur Banwait
All ETDs from UAB
Escherichia coli ClpB and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp104 are part of the Hsp100 family of proteins responsible for maintaining protein homeostasis in a cell during heat-stress conditions. Structurally, ClpB and Hsp104, in their active state, assemble into hexameric ring complexes with a hollow axial channel. Functionally, these enzymes are hypothesized to couple energy from ATP binding and hydrolysis to unfold protein substrates and translocate them through their axial channel. However, the molecular mechanisms of protein unfolding and translocation catalyzed by both ClpB and Hsp104 are not well understood. In this dissertation, we report the development of a single-turnover transient state kinetics …
Protein-Metal Interactions Of A-Synuclein And Bioactive Transition Metals Via Molecular Dynamics,
2025
Saint John's University, Jamaica New York
Protein-Metal Interactions Of A-Synuclein And Bioactive Transition Metals Via Molecular Dynamics, Gonzalo R. Vazquez
Theses and Dissertations
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder which has been found to target the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. It is characterized by the formation of masses known as Lewy Bodies, formed by aggregates of the intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) -synuclein (asyn). Research suggests that alpha synuclein can undergo aggregation in the presence of heavy metals, which may accumulate in the body through a variety of mechanisms. To study how metals may play a role in wildtype (WT) asyn aggregation, MD simulation of the protein was performed in the presence of bioactive transition metals including Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu+, …
Development And Application Of Enhanced Sampling Techniques For Investigating Protein Interactions And Drug Discovery,
2025
Wayne State University
Development And Application Of Enhanced Sampling Techniques For Investigating Protein Interactions And Drug Discovery, Timothy Hasse
Wayne State University Dissertations
Understanding the dynamics of protein–protein and protein–ligand interactions is critical for elucidating biological function and guiding drug discovery. However, many such processes involve rare events and high energy barriers that are difficult to capture with conventional molecular dynamics (MD). Enhanced sampling techniques extend the reach of MD, enabling access to biologically relevant transitions and thermodynamic properties. In the first project, Gaussian accelerated MD (GaMD) was used to study the MEIG1–PACRG complex, a key regulator of sperm flagellar assembly. Simulations of wildtype and mutant MEIG1 (W50A, Y68A) revealed mutation-specific disruptions to the binding interface and identified druggable pockets, particularly on PACRG. …
Novel Methodology And Proof-Of-Concept For Proton Ct Using Spot Profile Rather Than Bragg Peak Location,
2025
University of Rhode Island
Novel Methodology And Proof-Of-Concept For Proton Ct Using Spot Profile Rather Than Bragg Peak Location, Brett Albert Ruben
Open Access Dissertations
Proton radiation therapy offers a highly precise method for cancer treatment, theoretically providing superior dose deposition characteristics compared to conventional X-ray radiation therapy. Its steep and finite dose fall-off region allows for superior tumor coverage while reducing, though not eliminating, dose to surrounding healthy tissue. However, its full potential is limited by range uncertainties, particularly those arising from the reliance on X-ray-based imaging methods called computed tomography (CT) for proton-based treatment. CT image Hounsfield Units (HU) must be converted to stopping power ratios (SPR) as these ratios are the clinically relevant value for accurately planning particle interactions during proton therapy. …
Elongate Locomotors Show Consistent Torque Patterns Across Substrates,
2025
University of Akron
Elongate Locomotors Show Consistent Torque Patterns Across Substrates, Spencer Bradford, Henry Astley
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The four main movements found in snakes are understood mainly due to external study; however, muscular forces and resulting torques are poorly known. The main research objective is to study the torque production on different substrates using a snakebot. The study will give a rudimentary model for torque production on different substrates. It can then be compared against biological systems to understand snake movement at a muscular level. This study used a snakebot, allowing direct assessment of the current being run through each of its motors (proportional to torque). Data was then examined using a Principal Component Analysis test for …
Biomechanics Of The Atherosclerotic Lipidome: (Un)Expected Statin Interactions And Membrane Remodelling,
2025
Pomona College
Biomechanics Of The Atherosclerotic Lipidome: (Un)Expected Statin Interactions And Membrane Remodelling, Ethan M. Fong
Pomona Senior Theses
Statins interact with lipid membranes in ways that shape their pharmacokinetics, off-target effects, and pleiotropic actions, yet these interactions' mechanical and biophysical consequences remain poorly understood. This thesis employs a combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), and rheological modelling to characterize how representative statins intercalate within biomimetic supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) of healthy and diseased composition. SPR reveals that lipophilic statins exhibit higher apparent affinities and slower dissociation kinetics, especially in cholesterol- and anionic lipid-rich membranes. QCM-D analyses demonstrate that statins alter membrane mass, dissipation, and interfacial stiffness in a statin- and membrane-dependent …
