BRCA1 and PALB2 proteins suppress tumor formation by promoting homologous recombination when DNA damage has occurred. Mutations in BRCA1 and PALB2 are associated with a higher prevalence of breast and ovarian cancers. It is established that phosphorylation of BRCA1 and PALB2 occurs in or near the coiled-coil region of both proteins. This domain is utilized by both proteins to heterodimerize, so we hypothesize that phosphorylation events could affect BRCA1/PALB2 interaction affinity. We are using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and Circular Dichroism to determine if phosphorylation affects the structure or function of minimized binding domains from BRCA1 and PALB2. We will present our findings from the PALB2 phosphorylation sites which, contrary to our hypothesis, do not affect binding to BRCA1, as well as forthcoming data on the BRCA1 phosphorylation sites. In addition, we are using the minimized constructs and similar techniques to study questions regarding the effect of variants of unknown significance on the structure and function of these regions. While we have many variants remaining to test, thus far we find that the coiled-coil structure is destabilized by the introduction of proline variants in particular; therefore these variants disrupt the binding between PALB2 and BRCA1 and are more likely to be detrimental. We will present a summary of the variants tested to date and our working hypothesis regarding structure and function disruptions in the coiled-coil domains of BRCA1 and PALB2.

Inflammation is a natural and beneficial response to injury and pathogen invasion. However, chronic inflammation is linked to the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. Although the exact etiology is unknown, Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the overactivation of the NF-kB inflammatory pathway. NF-kB is a transcription factor that, in an unstimulated cell, is sequestered in the cytoplasm as a complex with its inhibitor, IκBα. When the pathway is activated by an external signal, IκBα is phosphorylated and subsequently degraded in the proteasome. Liberated NF-κB translocates to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor for pro-inflammatory genes, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Our research investigates the exact point of interference of novel anti-inflammatory drugs (provided by P2D Biosciences) with the NF-kB pathway through Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by progressive neuronal loss, often driven by oxidative stress. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to cellular damage, making oxidative stress a key factor in disease pathology. Caenorhabditis elegans, a genetically tractable model with conserved stress response pathways and neuronal structures, provides an effective system for studying oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. This study aims to establish an optimized oxidative stress assay in C. elegans to evaluate protective effects against ROS-induced damage. Wild-type (N2) C. elegans were synchronized via a bleaching protocol to generate a uniform population of young adults. Lifespan and survival assays were performed using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) to induce oxidative stress, testing concentrations of 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 mM. Higher concentrations (10 and 1 mM) resulted in rapid mortality of C. elegans within 3 and 9 hours, respectively, whereas lower concentrations (0.1 and 0.01 mM) allowed survival beyond 12 hours. Based on these findings, an optimal tBHP concentration will be used to further refine this oxidative stress model. This study provides foundational data for investigating the efficacy of potential antioxidant molecules in reducing ROS-related damage. By using the C. elegans model, future research will focus on identifying molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress response and evaluating therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative diseases.

Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is a highly invasive species that threatens waterways, agriculture, and ecosystems worldwide. While herbicide treatments have successfully managed populations in Mississippi, they have been less effective in Australia and New Zealand. This research investigated whether genetic differences among populations contribute to these inconsistencies in control effectiveness. To test this, we genotyped alligator weed samples from Mississippi, Australia, and New Zealand using chloroplast DNA markers to identify haplotypes. Results revealed significant genetic variation among regions. Mississippi populations exhibited greater haplotype diversity, with Ap1 and Ap3 being dominant, whereas Australia and New Zealand were primarily composed of Ap2, Ap3, and Ap5. The genetic lineages used in Mississippi herbicide trials did not directly match those found in Australia and New Zealand, suggesting that differences in herbicide response may be linked to genetic variation. These findings indicate that current herbicide trials may not accurately predict effectiveness in non-U.S. regions. Future testing on genetically relevant populations will improve control strategies, ensuring more effective management of alligator weed globally.

EmpowerHer STEM Club is an after-school program dedicated to encouraging young girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In collaboration with E.M. Daggett Elementary School, the program seeks to address the gender gap in STEM fields, where women currently hold only 28% of STEM occupations. Research suggests that early mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping young women's academic and career aspirations.
EmpowerHer STEM Club provides mentorship and hands-on learning experiences to inspire and support young girls in their STEM interests. The program introduces students to diverse STEM fields through interactive experiments that complement their classroom curriculum. Additionally, participants learn about various STEM careers and the achievements of influential women in these fields. Through this engaging approach, EmpowerHer STEM Club fosters curiosity, confidence, and a passion for STEM while building connections with the next generation of leaders.