Proteins in the NFкB family are transcription factors that modulate the expression of genes relating to immunity and inflammation. One protein within this family is the p50/RelA heterodimer which includes a structured DNA-binding domain and a Transcription Activation Domain (TAD) which is intrinsically disordered, or naturally lacking secondary and tertiary structure. Previous studies have shown that interactions between the DNA-binding domain and TAD affect DNA binding affinity and specificity. With the goal of further assessing and comparing the interactions between intrinsically disordered and structured domains in proteins of this family, we have worked to troubleshoot and optimize protocols relating to expressing and purifying human p50/RelA protein. I analyzed the efficiency of multiple chromatography steps and introduced changes to improve yield. Optimization of the expression and purification protocols will enable future investigations into the DNA binding activity of this protein.

The Molecular Case Network (MCN) connects biology and chemistry educators and fosters collaboration to create narratives that enhance interdisciplinary teaching and learning while providing support for their professional development. This research presents a case study of 10 MCN participants who were interviewed about their experiences creating interdisciplinary educational case studies to implement in their courses. These lessons aid the teaching of the content material and technology in a real-world context. These educators are considered expert participants and bring diverse perspectives and experience, allowing them to contribute unique ideas and create multifaceted case studies. Our objectives are to articulate the definition of molecular storytelling through the instructors’ perspective, gauge the instructors' confidence in the interdisciplinary teaching of biochemistry, and examine their self-efficacy in implementing the molecular case study with technology. We used a thematic analysis when looking at the interviews to identify common sentiments and refine them into themes to better understand the relationship between the participants' experiences. Through analysis of the interviews with the participants, we found major themes about the usefulness of technology and the importance of a strong leader in building confidence in both the technology and the writing of the case studies. We explore each unique narrative to find what motivates, excites, frustrates, and ultimately leads to the success of each instructor. By exploring these areas, we aim to provide insights that can help improve education in the relevant scientific disciplines. By understanding the factors that influence the success of these educators we hope to inform the MCN to help strengthen and expand their success long term.

Electrochemical water splitting is an effective method for generating hydrogen gas (H2) and an attractive means for energy storage. During this process, hydrogen and oxygen bubbles form on the electrode surfaces often lower the efficiency of gas production. The overarching goal of this study is to probe and better understand the nucleation process of small H2 and O2 nanobubbles on the electrode. To do this, we use ultrasensitive fluorescence microscopy to monitor the transient adsorption and desorption of single fluorophore molecules, such as Rhodamine 6G (R6G), on the nanobubble surface. My project aims to study how different fluorophores interact differently with the bubble surface and how they may interact with each other when multiple fluorophores are co-adsorbed on the bubble surface. This research may help us better understand bubble-molecule and molecule-molecule interactions at confined spaces for enhanced chemical labeling of the nanobubble surface. Moreover, it may also help us better understand the chemical nature of the gas/water interface, which has direct implications for more efficient gas productions and energy conversion and storage.

The ability to pattern three-dimensional microscale cultures opens new avenues for examining the effect of nonplanar mechanical environments on mammalian cells and tissues. Our lab has developed a method for generating suspended tissues with spatial control using open microfluidic principles called Suspended Tissue Open Microfluidic Patterning, or STOMP. STOMP utilizes spontaneous capillary flow and capillary pinning to pattern suspended, multi-region tissues. Using similar microfluidic principles as STOMP, we have developed a method to pattern large (cm-scale) models via semi-open microfluidic channels called Suspended Nonplanar and Planar, or SNaP, geometries. I design these devices with computer-aided design, fabricate components on stereolithography 3D printers, pattern devices with standard pipettes, and culture resulting tissues for short- and long-term time periods to model biological scenarios. With the broad statement that human tissue is generally nonplanar in mind, my research focuses on three different geometries of tissue, 1) a sinusoidal wave, 2) a transwell-like mogul, and 3) a multi-region dome, where each nonplanar geometry enables a different biomedical investigation. The sinusoidal wave construct allows us to ask if cells embedded in tissues with varying frequencies of undulation experience changes to cell morphology due to the topology of their environment; the transwell-like mogul enables investigation of cell proliferation of cells grown at or within an air-liquid interface; and the multi-region dome facilitates the study of tissue interfaces where a diseased region of cells meets a healthy region of cells, all within a single contiguous tissue. I am currently exploring these questions through multiple cultures where different device versions and/or multiple cell types are engaged to collect biological readouts which demonstrate SNaP as a translatable platform for the investigation of questions in biomechanics and regenerative medicine.

Biodiesel, "an alkyl ester of fatty acid" and type of biofuel, can be used for fueling vehicles and can be produced via transesterification, the process of using the alcohol methanol along with a base catalyst (usually sodium hydroxide) to break down oils and fats that have many triglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and glycerol. The viscous triglycerides are broken down into ester bonds and free fatty acids (FFAs), which are not ideal for biodiesel synthesis because FFAs have high melting points, unlike FAMEs. Thus, biodiesel synthesis should be conducted in a manner that reduces the number of FFAs while having a high breakdown of triglycerides into ester bonds. Transesterification that involves alkali/alkyl (like the bases sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH)) as a catalyst can cause soap-FFA reactions, resulting in "emulsification" challenges (Cheng et al 2013) (Hasan et al 2017). KOH and NaOH both can cause soap formation if they interact with triglycerides and esters. Furthermore, KOH produces more soap that NaOH, but KOH also helped produce more biodiesel than that from NaOH at 0.2 mol concentration (Van Gerpen et al 2006). What are the effects of NaOH and KOH on the fuel value of the biodiesel produced over the course of eight weeks? If KOH is used to synthesize biodiesel, then the biodiesel's fuel value form KOH will be higher than that form NaOH. Although the research project is currently in progress, the anticipated result is that KOH better catalyzes transesterification (via causing more heat combustion of ethanol) than NaOH for producing biodiesel. The results' significance determines which catalysts are used to produce more biodiesel. This is because the amount of biodiesel produced can be used for daily life purposes like faster transportation without having to refuel automobiles as frequently.