The Biology of Peroxiredoxin 6
Jose Pablo Vazquez-Medina, Professor
Integrative Biology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2023 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2024.
The objective of this study is to further understand the biology of Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6). Prdx6 is a multi-functional enzyme that expresses glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) activities in separate catalytic sites. Prdx6 is implicated in several pathophysiological conditions, including acute lung injury, inflammation, carcinogenesis, various chronic central nervous system diseases, retinal disease, type 2 diabetes, muscle atrophy, and male infertility.
Role: The prospective student will conduct experiments using cells and mice with single point mutations on the catalytic sites that inactivate each of the activities of Prdx6. Activities include handling and breeding the mice, conducting primary cell and tissue culture, gene and protein expression analyses, and fluorescence microscopy. The student will participate in lab meetings and journal club discussions. At the end of the internship, the student will be experienced in basic experimental wet lab procedures, will be able to read scientific literature, and will gain knowledge of experimental design and interpretation of scientific data.
Qualifications: Basic knowledge of mammalian tissue culture and mouse handling is highly desirable.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Jose Arevalo
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://www.vazquezmedinalab.com/
Biological & Health Sciences