2013 International Winners

Project Title:
MD Simulations of Membrane-Bound Aromatase with Titrated Asp-309 Residue: Implications for Catalysis and Novel Inhibitor Scaffolds

Description:
Incorporation of protein flexibility through molecular dynamics into aromatase led to the discovery of novel druggable sites and the development of novel inhibitor scaffolds which hold great potential in the fight against breast cancer. Furthermore, the role of a key active site residue in catalysis and channel dynamics was elucidated with molecular dynamics.

Project Title:
Computer-aided Discovery of Novel Influenza Endonuclease Inhibitors to Combat Flu Pandemic

Description:
Pandemic Description: I chose the influenza endonuclease as a target to develop new anti-flu medicine. By combining computer modeling and biological studies, I identified a number of novel, potent endonuclease inhibitors. I also performed comprehensive structural analysis, laying the ground work for further design and optimization of the anti-flu drug candidates.

Project Title:
Engineering Vaccines to Impair HIV: Proof-of-concept by Attenuating the Function of the HIV Nef Protein Via Site-directed Mutagenesis

Description:
A challenge to HIV vaccine development is HIV's ability to mutate to evade immune response. Studies of elite controllers (EC) suggest specific immune responses could force HIV to mutate into less virulent states. This project engineered a mutation in the HIV Nef protein identified as unique to EC and assessed its impact on Nef function.

Project Title:
Photothermal Capabilities of SERS Nanoparticles

Description:
The use of nanotechnology in cancer management has become prominent in both diagnostics and therapy. This study sought to determine whether SERS nanoparticles, one embodiment of plasmonic nanoparticles that have previously displayed strong diagnostic capabilities, were able to be for therapy by killing cancer cells with heat which would make them ideal candidates in theranostics.

Project Title:
Layer-by-Layer 3-D Constructs of Adherent and Non-Adherent Cells in Hydrogel

Description:
We have developed a protocol for the layer-by-layer construction of a three-dimensional co-culture, with the capability to control the spatial positions of the cells within. An array of cells was printed by laser direct-write, hydrogel was spin-coated above. A second array of cells was then printed into the hydrogel, which was crosslinked to encapsulate them.

Project Title:
Multi-species cultivation of microalgae P. carterae, Cymbella sp. and D. salina at wide salinity ranges for high value biorefinery production

Description:
Microalgae have many applications but are expensive to produce. The aim of this project was to find out whether more than one species of microalgae could be cultivated in growth media of varying salt content. This could change cultivation aspects of microalgae in large-scale commercial production and reduce its overall cost.

Project Title:
Advances in the Bottom-Up Assembly of Multicellular Architectures: From Neuroengineering to Biodefense

Description:
This project reports advances in the bottom-up assembly of multicellular architectures towards the creation of artificial microglands and unique core-shell microtissues called Celloidosomes in the fields of regenerative medicine and biodefense/bioremediation using a variety of cells and templates.

Project Title:
A Synergistic Approach in Treating Cancer via Photothermal Therapy and HSP90 Inhibition

Description:
Laser induced tissue hyperthermia mediated by gold nanoparticles can treat cancerous tumors (photothermal therapy (PTT)). The effectiveness of PTT is limited because cells upregulate heat shock protein (HSP) which renature broken down protein and is a proangiogenic factor. This study utilizes 17-AAG (HSP 90 inhibitor) in order to optimize PTT.

Project Title:
Evaluating the Behavioral and Developmental Effects of BPA and BPS on the Model Invertebrate C. elegans

Description:
Exposure to BPA and BPS resulted in significantly slower habituation rates, suggesting the novel idea that these neuroendocrine disruptors may be affecting dopamine reuptake, release, or other breakdown mechanisms in the body. BPA and BPS also increased embryonic lethality and affected normal E. coli growth. This implies the importance of determining the safety of BPS.

Project Title:
Quercetin: A Novel Therapy for Neuroblastoma by the Reexpression of RIZ1, a Tumor Supressor

Description:
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer with a survival rate of less than 50. Studies showed that RIZ1, a tumor suppressor gene is silenced in the aggressive form of neuroblastoma. Quercetin, a natural flavanoid, re-expressed RIZ1 and inhibited the growth of neuroblastoma cells. Quercetin could be developed into a potential drug for the treatment of neuroblastoma.

Project Title:
A New Light In Biosensing: Engineering Photostable GFP Mutants for FRET

Description:
I developed a new green fluorescent protein, Clover 2S, which is now the brightest existing fluorescent protein as well as the most photostable variant of Clover. Clover 2S shows improved photostability, quantum yield, maturation, and confers increased dynamic range onto a calcium sensor.

Project Title:
Impacts of Biochar on Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Soil Moisture, and Crop PAH Concentrations

Description:
Six plots (each 24m2) were tilled and prepared for planting. 0.8kg/m2 biochar was amended to three of the six plots. Measurements of soil greenhouse gas emission flux rates, soil moisture content, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in produce were taken and analyzed. Soil moisture and greenhouse gas emissions were measured over a five month period.

Project Title:
The effects of an artificial insulin-like drug on pancreatic β-cells and implications for an oral insulin mimetic

Description:
This project investigated the broad effects of an artificial insulin-like drug called IM140 on β-cells, cells in the pancreas which release insulin. It was found that IM140 at low concentration exhibited effects similar to insulin without stimulating further insulin production, which might support its use as a commercial insulin replacement for diabetics in the future.