In Dr. Alla Kostyukova's lab at Washington State University, I study muscle proteins. More specifically, the proteins that build and maintain muscle sarcomere thin filaments.The proteins involved in this process are:(1) Tropomyosin, a protein that binds along the entire length of the actin thin filament to stabilize it and to facilitate the binding of other proteins.(2) Tropomodulin, a protein that binds to tropomyosin and actin at the pointed end of the thin filament, inhibiting polymerization and depolymerization.(3) Leiomodin, a more recently discovered homolog of tropomodulin, that elongates thin filamentWe hypothesize that leiomodin competes with tropomodulin for binding to both tropomyosin and actin at the pointed end of thin filaments to regulate the length of thin filaments, tropomodulin inhibiting growth and leiomodin stimulating it. Since the interactions of these proteins have not yet been established there is debate.In an effort to resolve this debate, I have studied the structure and function of leiomodin binding to tropomyosin and actin, exemplified by recent publications:(1) a 3-dimensional structure of the complex of two model peptides, Lmod2s1 and αTM1aZip, representing the binding interface between cardiac isoforms of leiomodin and tropomyosin respectively.(2) a paper containing structural and biochemical data demonstrating how leiomodin binds to thin filaments to regulate and maintain their length.

Used molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations to study the adsorption of bovine serum albumin to a silica surface and to guide protein engineering efforts.

Foster good study habitsAssist engineering students with homework, lab reports, and studyingRefine solution techniquesExplain concepts

Dedicate 10 hours of training and 1.5 hours of class every weekAssist reactor operator staff to perform maintenance and surveillance to ensure safe and productive reactor operations and experimentsStudy official documents daily individually and with peers to master nuclear theory, radiation protection, facility design and specifications, and operating procedures in order to prepare for reactor operator licensing written and walk-through exam administered by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission