Harrison Khoo
DNA Holliday junctions (HJs) are double-stranded structures that promote genetic variation during DNA replication. Errors during separation of the two strands that comprise the HJ may lead to various biological issues contributing to human disease. The Redding Lab seeks to approach this problem by first learning more about the biophysical properties of HJs. We look to engineer a DNA curtain, a microfluidic assay capable of trapping HJs on a microscope slide for further analysis in real time observation. Once successful, we can see the effects of manipulating experiment design on […]
Cody Raiza
Biodiversity is becoming an increasingly important field of study for biologists as we begin to explore drivers of diversification. Within this deep look into organisms large and small comes discoveries of biodiversity in unexpected forms. My research has focused on the biodiversity of courtship displays in male jumping spiders of the highly-diversified genus Habronattus. These spiders produce complex displays that combine visual and vibratory signals. These vibratory “songs” vary across species and it is unknown what structures are responsible for this variation. I used a combination of video and imaging […]
Nima Sedaghatian
The field of metabolic engineering seeks to rationally design microorganisms to produce specific compounds, usually through the heterologous expression of non-native enzymes and modifications to native metabolism. A commonly employed experimental approach is to randomly mutate enzymes of interest and screen for a desired phenotype. However, this method is constrained by limitations in screening the massive primary sequence diversity scientists are now able to generate. Biosensors derived from naturally-occurring transcription factors can provide an efficient alternative to the low-throughput detection methods currently employed, facilitating an in vivo and tunable method […]
Holly Barnhart
A multitude of different trace metals can readily incorporate into the crystal lattice of calcite, depending on factors like solution chemistry, temperature, and growth rate. Measurements of these elemental abundances in calcite can be an effective means of understanding rates and environments of crystal growth and have been widely utilized over the past decades to decode paleo-environmental growth conditions and, to some extent, in environmental remediation of polluted systems. Much of the present understanding of microscale controls on trace element incorporation into carbonates is based on laboratory experiments and studies […]
Darya Fadavi
Transmission of cytoskeletal forces to the nucleus depends highly on the LINC (linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complexes, which consists of inner nuclear membrane SUN (Sad-1 and Unc) proteins that bind to outer nuclear membrane KASH (Klarsicht, ANC-1, Syne Homology) proteins. Recent studies have suggested significant differences between SUN1 and SUN2 specifically in their homo-oligomerizaton in the perinuclear space. In my project, I use bioinformatics tools, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in collaboration with an experimental group to explore the molecular differences between these two proteins, SUN1 […]
Ryan Shih
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are sub-millimeter structures that combine electrical and mechanical principles to produce novel sensors, actuators, and transducers for complicated tasks at the microscale. While most MEMS research focuses on devices operating in air, biomedical applications and the parallel growth of microfluidics have stimulated efforts towards MEMS operation in fluid, especially biological media. One goal of such operation is to develop a microrobot capable of entering the human body and performing medical procedures such as diagnostics, drug delivery, local tissue repair, and surgery. Whether this microrobot is autonomous or […]
Franco Faucher
Metal catalysts are extremely useful, however, there are many practical challenges that impede their use. One of these challenges is that most metal catalysts are prepared from precious metals; meaning that they might not be practically affordable. In order to circumvent the rising costs of metals and achieve recyclability, I will be synthesizing Dendrimer Encapsulated Nanoparticles (DENs) made of earth-abundant metals and precious metals. After synthesis of the DENs, a majority of time will be devoted to small-scale reactions. The small-scale reactions will help identify optimal conditions for the catalysts […]
Sarah Bhattacharjee
During pregnancy, complex birth defects can arise, and fetal surgery can correct or drastically ameliorate these conditions. The largest unmet need of the field is a method to seal the amniotic sac, as it does not heal following surgery and can rupture, leading to preterm birth. I hope to develop self-sealing needles and instrument sheaths to seal defects in the amniotic sac during and after surgery. Hopefully these new methods will help fetal surgery become a viable and safe option for growing families.
Freja Ekman
Efficient and versatile genome editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, have the potential to treat disease on a genetic level. By inducing DNA double stranded breaks at targeted genomic locations, targeted nucleases can facilitate gene disruption via the introduction of random base insertions and deletions via non-homologous end joining. While many studies have developed methods for implementing these techniques, the treatment of nervous system disorders via genome editing has remained largely unexplored. One such disorder is Huntingtons disease (HD). HD is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by the progressive loss of striatal neurons […]
Sharon Feng
Genome editing is an emerging topic with immediate and significant implications in human health. Despite interest in therapeutic gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, interactions between genome editing reagents and human cells remain poorly understood. Prior work in the Corn Lab identified how human cells integrate single stranded DNA into Cas9 cut sites. My project will build upon this work to establish how cells respond to other gene editing techniques, namely the integration of double stranded DNA into genomic DNA.