Research Plans
One of our research goals has been to determine how specific proteins shuttle in and out of the nucleus of mammalian cells. We have been using molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), and molecular modeling to examine how the polarity of amino acids and the structure of proteins allow them to bind to interact with transport proteins.
Confocal fluorescence microscopy also allows us to selectively bleach GFP in specific regions or compartments within the cell. The rate of return of fluorescence depends upon the protein being studied, the compartment bleached, and the state of the cell. We hope to use this information to help determine how cells regulate protein transport within the cell.
Collaborators:
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Larry Louters, Ph.D., Calvin College
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Steve Matheson, Ph.D., Calvin College
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Ron Patterson, Ph.D., Michigan State University
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Jim Resau, Ph.D., Van Andel Research Institute
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Herman Spaink, Ph.D., Leiden University
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John Wang, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Laboratory alumni:
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Dan Neef (from Valparaiso), Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Texas A&M , 2004; currently a post-doctoral fellow with Dennis J. Thiele, Ph.D., at Duke
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Jennifer Bender (from Valparaiso), pursuing M.D./Ph.D. in Microbiology at Illinois
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Rich Gray, Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Michigan State, 2006; currently a post-doctoral fellow with John Oates, Ph.D., at Vanderbilt
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Carissa Hockema Cheng, Registered Dietician
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Andrea Pearson, pursuing M.D./M.P.H. at Michigan State
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Kiki Chu, pursuing Ph.D. in Biochemistry with James M. Ntambi, Ph.D., at Wisconsin
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Rianna Vandergaast, pursuing Ph.D. in Biochemistry with Paul D. Friesen, Ph.D., at Wisconsin
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Heather Storteboom, M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineeriing; Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Colorado State, 2010
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Peter Hoekman, pursuing M.D. at Michigan State
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Nick Be, pursuing Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine with Bill Bishai, Ph.D., at Johns Hopkins
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Elisa Verde, pursuing M.D. at Michigan
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Andrew Lohse, pursuing Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Wisconsin
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Jon Dudley, pursuing M.S. in Ethics at Yale
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Kimberly Spronk, pursuing M.D. at Minnesota
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Mark Ash, pursuing M.S. in Nutrition at Nebraska
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Devin Mistry, pursuing O.D. at Michigan State
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David Cutter, laboratory technician at Calvin
