Authors:

Camille Higgins

Date Created:

Not specified

Course Title:

Professor:

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About Paper:

Proteins are essential biomolecules that play a vital role in all living organisms. They are responsible for various functions, including catalyzing biological reactions, transporting molecules, and providing structural support. As an undergraduate student, I was fascinated by the complexity and diversity of proteins, particularly in learning how proteins are purified and characterized. I challenged myself to understand these topics by conducting an independent research project in the structural biology lab. I was responsible for purifying proteins from recombinant bacterial cultures. This involved several steps, including cell lysis and chromatography to purify the proteins, SDS-PAGE, and Western blot to check for heterogeneity, which will assess the expression and purity of the protein. Further purification is accomplished using affinity chromatography, size exclusion, or ion exchange chromatography. Structural analysis can be achieved using X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy. Both methods will reveal the three-dimensional structure of the pure protein. The finalized structure will include functional regions, active sites, and the conformation determining their function. I have purified protein involved in Sialic acid and Rhamnose biosynthesis metabolism. Pathogenic bacteria use these metabolic products to evade the host immune system. I have learned a great deal about the structure and function of proteins and gained valuable laboratory skills. I am excited about the future research I will accomplish with this knowledge.

Source:

Purdue University / 2023

Topics:

No topics listed

Co-authors:

Camille Higgins