Jennifer Betancourt
Lab Group: Chen Lab
Department: MCD Biology
Research:
The cerebral cortex is the area of the brain responsible for higher cognitive function, sense perception and consciousness. It is comprised of many different neuronal subtypes all of which are derived from a common pool of neural progenitors. Each subtype has distinct properties including axonal targeting, gene expression and cortical position. Interestingly, there is a correlation between subtype properties and the day at which the neuron was generated. Thus, the maintenance of neural progenitors is critical for the proper generation of all neuronal subtypes within the cortex, however, the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs is not clearly understood. Using a combination of mouse genetics, fluorescent microscopy and high-throughput sequencing, I will identify key players involved in the temporal regulation of cortical development. Specifically, I will identify the role of the transcription factor, NfiB, in the maintenance of neural progenitors, neurogenesis and neuronal axon targeting.
Publications:
2010 McKenna,W., Betancourt,J., Larkin, A., Ly, H., Rubenstein, J. MD. PhD, Chen,B. TBR1 regulates identities of corticothalamic projection neurons during early cortical neurogenesis (J. Neuroscience)
Presentations:
2011 Betancourt, J. and Chen B. NfiB maintains neural progenitors in late development of the cerebral cortex. Society for Neuroscience; Washington D.C.
2011 Betancourt, J. and Chen B. NfiB maintains neural progenitors in late development of the cerebral cortex. MCD Biology Research Conference; Aptos, CA.
2009 Betancourt, J. and Chen, B. Characterizing the role of NfiB in the developing cerebral cortex. MCD Biology Research Conference; Corralitos, CA.
Mohamed Amine Bouchti
Lab group: MEMS Lab
Department: Electrical Engineering Ph.D Graduate Student
Research: Adaptive optics (AO) is used in astronomy to improve optical image quality by compensating for aberrations caused by fabrication errors, thermal effects, and atmospheric turbulence. The latter is a particularly important aberration when using large astronomical telescopes that see a large part of the sky. AO applications in astronomy and vision science require deformable mirrors (DMs) with high-stroke, high-order packing density at a lower cost than the currently available technology. Various types of high-stroke gold actuators for AO consisting of folded springs with rectangular and circular membranes as well as x-beam actuators supported diagonally by fixed-guided springs are designed, simulated, and fabricated individually and as part of a continuous-face-sheet DM system by professor Joel Kubby and Bautista R. Fernandez (Ph.D. student). This quarter I will be testing the DM and collecting data.
Jaime Hernandez
Lab Group: Saltikov Lab
Department: METX
Research:
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Janine Ilagan
Lab Group: Jurica Lab
Department: MCD Biology
Research:Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. Splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a large and highly dynamic macromolecular machine in the cell. Errors in splicing have been linked to many diseases, including cancer. The spliceosome is responsible for precisely joining the protein coding sequences that will be translated to protein. Many proteins are involved in the assembly of the spliceosome that associate and dissociate, making this molecular machine challenging to study. My overall research goal is to characterize the functions of proteins and remodeling of RNAs involved exon ligation and messenger RNA product release from the spliceosome in order to gain insight into how the RNA/proteins work together to carry out splicing. We use biochemical and structural techniques to gain insights on the spliceosome’s role in splicing. Our studies will serve as a foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying the later stages of spliceosomal progression.
Publications/ Awards:
Ilagan, J., Yuh, P., Chalkley, R., Burlingame, A., Jurica, MS. 2009. The role of exon sequences in C complex spliceosome structure. J. Mol. Biol. 394:363-75.·
Awards:
Janice A. Nowell Memorial Award (For Electron Microscopy), February 2006
Center for Bimolecular Science and Engineer Diversity Fellowship Awad, June 2007 – 2009
NIH Training Grant, July 2009 - June 2011
Presentations:
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2007. “Structural changes in spliceosomes created by pre-mRNA trimming as visualized by electron microscopy.” Cold Spring Harbor Conference on Post-transcriptional gene regulation. Laurel Hollow, NY. Poster presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2008. “Defining the core components of the spliceosome.” Structure Club in University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, Ca. Oral presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2008. “Structural changes in spliceosomes created by pre-mRNA trimming as visualized by electron microscopy.” Gordon Research Conference on Eukaryotic mRNA processing. Waterville, Maine. Poster presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2009. “A Path for pre-mRNA in the Core C Complex Spliceosome.” RNA Society Meeting. Madison, WI. Poster presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2009. “The role of exon sequences in C complex spliceosome structure.” 4rth International UVM Practical Course on Three-dimensional Cryo Electron Microscopy of Single Particles. Burlington, VT. Oral presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2010. “Characterizing the post-catalytic splicing complex: a tale of not letting go.” University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, Ca. Oral presentation.
Ilagan, J., Jurica, MS. 2011. “Changes in Human Spliceosome Interactions Following Exon Ligation.” RNA Society Meeting. Kyoto, Japan. Poster presentation.
Andrew Knutson
Lab Group: Strome Lab
Department: MCD Biololgy
Research:
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Melissa Masuda
Lab Group: Smith Lab
Department: METX
Research: Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace nutrient that at high
levels of exposure, leads to toxic effects on the central nervous
system. Exposure to elevated levels of Mn from occupational and
natural sources can lead to neurological disorders. Little is known
about the relationship between Mn exposure and impacts on specific
molecular targets, such as Golgi Phosphoprotein 4 (GPP130), a
cis-Golgi protein that is degraded in the presence of elevated levels
of Mn. The ramifications of the relationship between GPP130 and Mn
remain unknown, but need to be explored to be aware of the full
potential of Mn effects. My research focuses on the relationship
between Mn exposure and GPP130 function in hopes of understanding
whether this effect is a physiological response or a toxic reaction.
Through my research, I hope to produce results that provide insight
into the mechanism by which Mn leads to neurotoxicity.
Publications:
Presentations: 2009 UC Santa Cruz Graduate Student Symposium, 2010 UC
Santa Cruz Graduate Student Symposium
Jaime Saavedra
Lab Group: Singaram Lab
Department: Chemistry
Research: My research focuses on developing new and improving current methods for affecting chemical transformations, specifically, in boron and indium mediated reactions. Boron’s unique properties make it an ideal element for use in many chemical transformations. Indium is also an attractive element because of its relatively low toxicity and its ability to affect a variety of chemical reactions under mild reaction conditions. My research focuses the reduction of various functional groups including; Nitriles, halides, and various carbonyl functionalities.
Publications:
1. Saavedra, S. Z.; Bayrasy, P.; Resendez, A.; Singaram, B. Exploration of HInCl2 and its Selectivity with Various Functional Groups. (In Preparation)
2. Saavedra, S. Z.; Rovira, A.; Resendez, A.; Benitez. J.; Singaram, B. Reductive Deoxygenation of Diaryl ketones with NaBH4/InCl3. (In Preparation)
3. Saavedra, S. Z.; Resendez, A.; Rovira, A.; Eagon, S.; Haddenham, D.; and Bakthan Singaram, B. Reaction of InCl3 with Various Reducing Agents. InCl3-NaBH4 Mediated Reduction of Aromatic and Aliphatic Nitriles to Primary Amines. J. Org. Chem. 2011, (Accepted)
4. Eagon, S.; Ball-Jones, N.; Haddenham, D.; Saavedra, J.; DeLieto, C.; Buckman, M.; Singaram, B. Enantioselective reduction of alpha-substituted ketones mediated by the boronate ester TarB-NO2. Tetrahedron Lett. 2010, 51, 6418-6421.
5. Eagon, S.; DeLieto, C.; McDonald, W. J.; Haddenham, D.; Saavedra, J.; Kim, J.; Singaram, B. Mild and Expedient Asymmetric Reductions of alpha,beta-Unsaturated Alkenyl and Alkynyl Ketones by TarB-NO2 and Mechanistic Investigations of Ketone Reduction. J. Org. Chem. 2010, 75, 7717-7725.
6. Saavedra, J.; Stafford, S. E.; Meyer, M. P. Experimental transition state for the Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reduction. Tetrahedron Lett. 2009, 50, 1324-1327.
Presentations and Awards:
1. Saavedra, Jaime Z.; Rovira, Alexander; Resendez, Angel; Eagon, Scott; Haddenham, Dustin; Singaram, Bakthan, Indium-mediated reduction of aromatic and aliphatic nitriles to primary amines, UCSC Chemistry & Biochemistry Annual Conference, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, September 14, 2011 (2011)
2. Saavedra, Jaime Z.; Rovira, Alexander; Resendez, Angel; Singaram, Bakthan, Indium-mediated reductive deoxygenation of aryl ketones, Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011 (2011)
3. Eagon, Scott C.; Haddenham, Dustin M.; Saavedra, Jaime Z.; Delieto, Cassandra M.; Singaram, Bakthan, Expedient and mild procedure for the asymmetric reduction of alkynyl ketones, Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010 (2010)
4. Saavedra, Jaime Z., Indium-mediated reduction of nitriles to primary amines, Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010 (2010)
Auric Sowell-Kantz
Lab Group: Millhouser Lab
Department: Chemistry
Research: Chronic wasting disease effects Elk and Deer in North America which is the result of the misfolding of PrPC a protein expressed on the cell surface of neurons. The misfolding of PrPC causes the prion diseases, which include kuru, CJD and mad cow disease. PrPC normal function is likely related to copper regulation in the central nervous system. Several PrPC polymorphisms within White Tailed Deer have shown to be neuroprotective against infection of PrPsc, which leads to chronic wasting disease. In full-length PrPC, Cu2+ ions bind primarily in the octarepeat domain composed of adjacent PHGGGWGQ segments. The neuroprotective PrPC polymorphism sequences have amino acid mutations located close to the octarepeat domain. My research involves characterizing the structure of these PrPC polymorphisms via EPR and NMR techniques, and determining the binding affinity for various metals to the differing polymorphisms of PrPC via EPR and NMR techniques.
Publications/ Awards:
Kantz, A., Gassner, G. T., Nature of the Reaction Intermediates in the Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide-Dependent Epoxidation Mechanism of Styrene Monooxygenase. Biochemistry 2010 Dec 15; (Web) Publication date.
Ukaegbu, E. U., Kantz, A., Beaton, M., Gassner, G. T., Rosenzweig, C. A., Structure and Ligand Binding Properties of the Epoxidase Component of Styrene Monooxygenase. Biochemistry 2010 Jan 5; 49:1678-1688.
Kantz, A., Chin, F., Nallamothu, N., Nguyen, T., Gassner, G. T., Mechanism of flavin transfer and oxygen activation by the two-component flavoenzyme styrene monooxygenase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005 Aug 18; 442:102-116.
Presentations:
Kantz, A.A., Beaton, M. L., Gassner, G. T., A Flavin Peroxide Intermediate is Directly Responsible for Substrate Epoxidation in the Reaction Mechanism of Styrene Monooxygenase. CSUPERB’s Twenty First Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium, Los Angeles CA, January 16h - 17th, 2009.
Kantz, A.A., Beaton, M. L., Gassner, G. T., A Flavin Peroxide Intermediate is Directly Responsible for Substrate Epoxidation in the Reaction Mechanism of Styrene Monooxygenase. 21st Enzyme Mechanism Conference, Tucson AZ, January 3rd – 6th, 2009.
Kantz, A., Lam, S., Nguyen, M., Nguyen, T., Gassner, G. T., Discovering the Mechanism of the Two-Component Flavoenzyme Styrene Monooxygenase. Nineteenth Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium Microbes and Human Disease, Los Angeles CA, January 12th - 14th, 2007
Kantz, A., Lam, S., Nguyen, M., Nguyen, T., Gassner, G. T., Influence of Anions on the Reaction Mechanism of the Two-Component Flavoenzyme Styrene Monooxygenase. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration, San Francisco CA, April 1st – 5th, 2006.
Nguyen, T., Chin, F., Kantz, A., Nallamothu, N., Gassner, G. T., Electron-Transfer from the Reductase to The Monooxygenase Components of Styrene Monooxygenase. 19th Annual Enzyme Mechanism Conference, Pacific Grove CA, January 5th – 9th, 2005.
Jessica Zapata
Lab Group: Kellog Lab
Department: MCD Biology
Research:
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