Subunit Contacts in a Replicative DNA Polymerase: A New Paradigm for Protein-Protein Interactions? The bacterial DNA polymerase III is a 15-subunit protein that acts as an extraordinary molecular machine to copy both strands of chromosomal DNA at the same time, making DNA at the rate of 1000 base pairs each second without ever falling off the chromosome or making mistakes. This project aims to understand the way its subunits iteract, such that they can form stable complexes that are nevertheless ....Subunit Contacts in a Replicative DNA Polymerase: A New Paradigm for Protein-Protein Interactions? The bacterial DNA polymerase III is a 15-subunit protein that acts as an extraordinary molecular machine to copy both strands of chromosomal DNA at the same time, making DNA at the rate of 1000 base pairs each second without ever falling off the chromosome or making mistakes. This project aims to understand the way its subunits iteract, such that they can form stable complexes that are nevertheless flexible enough to accomplish DNA synthesis. There are applications of this knowledge to discovery of new antibacterial agents and in design of new protein machines.Read moreRead less
DROP DEFORMATION IN CONFINED MICROFLUIDIC GEOMETRIES. Increasingly, high technology applications in biotechnology and microtechnology industries need to process complex (non-Newtonian) fluids with dispersed particles/droplets in channels as small as several microns (microfluidics). A computational fluid dynamic model of non-Newtonian droplet deformation in microfluidic geometries will be developed, and validated using experimental measurements of the flow field in this project. The aim is to und ....DROP DEFORMATION IN CONFINED MICROFLUIDIC GEOMETRIES. Increasingly, high technology applications in biotechnology and microtechnology industries need to process complex (non-Newtonian) fluids with dispersed particles/droplets in channels as small as several microns (microfluidics). A computational fluid dynamic model of non-Newtonian droplet deformation in microfluidic geometries will be developed, and validated using experimental measurements of the flow field in this project. The aim is to understand and quantify factors influencing droplet deformation. Coupling non-Newtonian characteristics with microfluidic geometries will allow the continuous manufacture of micro-particles of specified size and shape for existing and new applications, and will provide guidance for further extending the process to nano-particle manufacture.Read moreRead less
The Cytochrome P450 Gene Super-family in Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Function and Insecticide Resistance. The cytochrome P450 (Cyp) gene super-family is represented by over 90 sequences in the genome of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. To date, four Cyp genes are found to be involved in insecticide resistance. The function of the majority of Cyp genes is unknown. This project will investigate the function and regulation of D. melanogaster Cyp genes, linking the fly's genotype to its ....The Cytochrome P450 Gene Super-family in Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Function and Insecticide Resistance. The cytochrome P450 (Cyp) gene super-family is represented by over 90 sequences in the genome of the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster. To date, four Cyp genes are found to be involved in insecticide resistance. The function of the majority of Cyp genes is unknown. This project will investigate the function and regulation of D. melanogaster Cyp genes, linking the fly's genotype to its phenotype. By studying the effects of Cyp genes on fly survival, Cyp gene expression and regulation, and expressing selected Cyp genes in a yeast expression system, we will enhance our understanding of Cyp gene function and evolution.Read moreRead less