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NameEmailPhD ProgramResearch InterestPublications
Sode, Koji
WEBSITE
EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Biochemistry & Biophysics

RESEARCH INTEREST
Aging/Alzheimer's, Biochemistry, Diabetes, Enzymology, Neurobiology, Structural Biology

Our strategic research concept is to create novel molecules through biomolecular engineering to develop biosensing technologies dedicated to health care management. Ultimately, we aim to create innovative biodevices to realize closed-loop therapies which can aid in the detection and/or diagnosis of medical conditions and provide medicine/treatment to patients suffering from various diseases (metabolic disorders, neural degenerative diseases, mental disorders, cancer, etc.). The targets for our biomolecular engineering are enzymes, antibodies, binding proteins, receptors/transporters, aptamers, and synthetic molecules.

Tamir, Tigist
WEBSITE
EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Biochemistry & Biophysics, Nutrition

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Cancer Biology, Cancer Signaling & Biochemistry, Cell Signaling, Computational Biology, Metabolism, Molecular Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Structural Biology, Systems Biology

Systems Metabolism and Signaling Lab

Oxidative stress, a byproduct of energy production essential for all living organisms, arises from an imbalance of reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and carbonyl species (ROS/RNS/RCS). These highly reactive molecules present a significant waste management challenge within cells. Through evolution, oxidative stress response (OSR) pathways have emerged as critical guardian of cellular homeostasis, adept at neutralizing potentially harmful reactive molecules. Dysregulation of OSR—whether due to insufficient or excessive capacity to resolve oxidative damage—is a hallmark of numerous human diseases. For example, cancer cells co-opt OSR pathways by rewiring signaling and metabolism which leads to the development of resistance to chemotherapy.

The Systems Metabolism and Signaling Lab (i.e. Tamir Lab) seeks to unravel the biochemical intricacies of how cells defend against oxidative stress by investigating the cell signaling-mediated regulation of metabolism. We aim to address fundamental questions about the biochemistry of OSR regulation, including:

  • How is information transferred across biomolecules, from the phosphoproteome to the metabolome?
  • What is the role of phosphorylation in shaping the structure and function of antioxidant enzymes?
  • Where do cell signaling pathways intersect with metabolism during OSR?
  • What are the signals driving dysregulated OSR in diseases?

To tackle these questions, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates biochemistry, proteomics, metabolomics, molecular biology, and systems biology. Our work focuses on dissecting the regulatory networks governing OSR and identifying targetable pathways implicated in obesity and cancer. As a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Nutrition, and Computational Medicine Program, we bridge molecular insights with systems-level understanding as we strive to illuminate novel and effective strategies for therapeutic interventions. The Systems Metabolism and Signaling Lab is committed to fostering a collaborative, creative, and diverse group that is invested in mutual growth.

Jenson, Justin
WEBSITE
EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Biochemistry & Biophysics

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Evolutionary Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Virology

Our lab studies molecular interactions between bacteria and the viruses that infect them, called phage. For billions of years, phage and bacteria have been locked in a ‘molecular arms race’. To survive, bacteria have evolved many immune systems to protect against infection and, in response, phage have counter-adapted to evade these defenses. Our lab is interested in 1) understanding how these systems work biochemically and structurally and 2) discovering new factors involved in this ‘molecular arms race’. We are particularly interested in systems that share homology with human immune factors.

Taggart, Lizzy

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology

“I am most interested in studying molecular mechanisms through the lens of protein biochemistry. I find proteins particularly interesting because they are responsible for many biological processes and are the targets for many therapeutic drugs. I want to study proteins to better understand issues relating to human health and disease at the biochemical scale.”

Paulakonis, Ethan

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Pharmacology, Structural Biology

“My primary research interest is in how protein quality control pathways such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system mediate misfolding and aggregation of proteins that lead to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. I also have a broad interest in various structural biology techniques.”

Mileur, Trevor

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biophysics, Computational Biology, Structural Biology

“I’m interested in the intersections of structural and computational biology. Initially, I will aim to study the nuances of protein design by learning about proteins from a broader more abstract perspective.

For example a rotation with Dr. Neher, would afford the opportunity to study enzymes, their unique properties and methods for purification and characterization.

Studying with Dr. Burlow, I hope to grapple with the complexity of disordered proteins. Rotating in Dr. Kuhlman’s lab could enlighten me on the computational methods to make sense of complexity in biological molecules.

Lastly, working in Dr. Baker’s lab, I would hope to focus the majority of my effort toward membrane interacting proteins, especially those with clinical relevance such as proteins involved in antigen presentation and signal transduction of immune cells.”

Liebow, Elise

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology

“I’m interested in protein structure and function, relating to protein-protein interactions. I’m also interested in unstructured regions and intrinsically disordered regions to understand their probable function and how it relates to other PPIs and possible condensate formation. I would love to word either in a purified protein setting or in a cellular setting experimentally.”

Harrison, Jonathan

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biophysics, Cell Biology, Structural Biology

“I am interested in understanding the role of membranes throughout the cell, both the plasma membrane and organelle membranes. I find trafficking, endo/exocytosis, and membrane/cytoskeleton interactions particularly intriguing. I hope to explore these questions using both structural biology, such as cryoEM, and cell biology.”

Eidman, Allie

EMAIL

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, Structural Biology

“In graduate school, I hope to pursue research related to drug discovery or pharmacology. Specifically, I hope to integrate structural biology and medicinal chemistry to explore research in structure based drug design. I also hope to explore research into the mechanisms of disease-related signaling pathways or pathologies to help identify potential new drug targets. I hope to pursue this research in the chromatin and epigenetics field while also exploring disease areas from neurodegeneration to cancer.”

Guardia, Charly
WEBSITE
EMAIL
PUBLICATIONS

PHD PROGRAM
Cell Biology & Physiology

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Developmental Disorders, Disease, Metabolism, Microscopy/Imaging, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Physiology, Structural Biology

The human placenta is the first organ to develop after fertilization and is the least studied! We hope to change this by using a multidisciplinary approach. From iPSC-derived trophoblasts in culture to mouse models and human placenta tissue, the Placental Cell Biology Group at NIEHS answers fundamental questions about placenta cell and developmental biology. Our lab uses a range of microscopy (cryo-EM, fluorescence), recombinant protein production, and -omics techniques. The goal of our research is to understand how autophagy controls placenta development, differentiation, and function.