A5079071814- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
- Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- Trace Elements in Health
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Cancer Cells and Metastasis
- Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
2018-2025
Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
2018-2025
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
2018-2025
Ackerman Institute for the Family
2022-2023
Rütgers (Germany)
2023
University of Pennsylvania
2016-2020
Institute of Bioinformatics
2017
The Ohio State University
2007-2012
Next-generation sequencing has turned out to be a powerful tool uncover genetic basis of childhood mitochondrial disorders. We utilized whole-exome analysis and discovered novel compound heterozygous mutations in FARS2 (mitochondrial phenylalanyl transfer RNA synthetase), encoding the (tRNA) synthetase (mtPheRS) two patients with fatal epileptic encephalopathy. The affected highly conserved amino acids, p.I329T p.D391V. Recently, homozygous variant p.Y144C was reported Saudi girl...
The modular synthesis of a library containing seven self-assembling amphiphilic Janus dendrimers is reported. Three these molecules contain environmentally friendly chiral-racemic fluorinated dendrons in their hydrophobic part (RF), one contains achiral hydrogenated (RH), while denoted hybrid dendrimer, combination and (RHF) its part. Two either green fluorescent dye conjugated to hydrophilic (RF-NBD) or red (RH-RhB). These RF, RH, RHF self-assembled into unilamellar onion-like soft...
Significance Cell surface determinants such as glycans, receptors, and adhesion molecules govern cell sociology in a complex manner. By forming cell-like hybrids of chemically programmable (glyco)dendrimersomes with bacterial membrane vesicles, evidence is obtained for the feasibility combining chemical biological design one entity. Such tunable custom-made combinations epitopes active receptors will likely find utility dissecting functionality individual entities networks ultimately enable...
Abstract Antimicrobial peptides are an important component of the molecular arsenal employed by hosts against bacteria. Many bacteria in turn possess pathways that provide protection these compounds. In Escherichia coli and related bacteria, PhoQ/PhoP signalling system is a key regulator this antimicrobial peptide defence. Here we show treating E. with sublethal concentrations causes cells to filament, division block controlled system. The filamentation results from increased expression...
Significance Gram-negative bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli contain a relatively rigid outer membrane, and cross-linked peptidoglycan in their periplasm, giving them the rigidity stability to survive independently harsh environments. To dismantle these strong cell envelopes, enzymatic processes need be used. In contrast, human membranes are much more fragile, making it possible easily by mild mechanical disruption. Once dismantled, they can coassembled with synthetic phospholipid...
Organisms can adapt to an environment by taking multiple mutational paths. This redundancy at the genetic level, where many mutations have similar phenotypic and fitness effects, make untangling molecular mechanisms of complex adaptations difficult. Here, we use Escherichia coli long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) as a model address this challenge. To understand how different genomic changes could lead parallel gains, characterize landscape transcriptional translational across 12 replicate...
Fluorescence imaging is an effective method for detecting porphyrin production in bacteria, leveraging the natural fluorescence properties of porphyrins. Here we use a simple, lightweight, hands-free device rapid, non-invasive assessments clinical settings, microbial research, and diagnostic applications. Specifically this study, examined 15 bacterial 2 fungal strains commonly associated with skin, oral, and/or multi-site infections at wound sites their ability to autofluoresce based on...
The PhoQ/PhoP two-component system plays a vital role in the regulation of Mg
Translational quality control is monitored at several steps, including substrate selection by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), and discrimination of aminoacyl-tRNAs elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) the ribosome. Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) misactivates Tyr but able to correct mistake using a proofreading activity named editing. Previously we found that overproduction editing-defective PheRS resulted in incorporation Phe-encoded positions vivo, although misreading efficiency could not...
Mistranslation can follow two events during protein synthesis: production of non-cognate amino acid:transfer RNA (tRNA) pairs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and inaccurate selection aminoacyl-tRNAs the ribosome. Many aaRSs actively edit acids, but editing mechanisms are not evolutionarily conserved, their physiological significance remains unclear. To address connection between mistranslation, evolutionary divergence tyrosine phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) was used as a model....
Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a crucial role in cancer dissemination and provide promising source of blood-based markers. Understanding the spectrum transcriptional profiles CTCs their corresponding regulatory mechanisms will allow for more robust analysis CTC phenotypes. The current challenge research is acquisition useful clinical information from multitude high-throughput studies. To gain deeper understanding heterogeneity identify genes, pathways processes that are...
Significance Hydrolytically and enzymatically stable nanoscale synthetic constructs, with well-defined structures that exhibit antimicrobial activity, offer exciting possibilities for diverse applications in the emerging field of nanomedicine. Herein, we demonstrate it is core conformation, rather than periodicity, ultimately controls synthesis sterically hindered aliphatic polyamide dendrimers. The latter self-interrupt at a predictable low generation number due to backfolding their...
Previous studies have shown that exponentially growing Escherichia coli can detect mild acidity (~pH 5.5) and, in response, synthesize enzymes protect against severe acid shock. This adaptation is controlled by the EvgS/EvgA phosphorelay, a signal transduction system present virtually every E. isolate whose genome has been sequenced. Here we show that, despite this high level of conservation, displays surprising natural variation pH-sensing capacity, with some strains entirely non-responsive...
Structural studies suggest rearrangement of the RNA-binding and catalytic domains human mitochondrial PheRS (mtPheRS) is required for aminoacylation. Crosslinking resulted in a "closed" form mtPheRS that still catalyzed ATP-dependent Phe activation, but was no longer able to transfer tRNA complete aminoacylation reaction. SAXS experiments indicated presence both closed open forms solution. Together, these results indicate conformational flexibility two functional modules essential its...
In many organisms, stress responses to adverse environments can trigger secondary functions of certain proteins by altering protein levels, localization, activity, or interaction partners. Escherichia coli cells respond the presence specific cationic antimicrobial peptides strongly activating PhoQ/PhoP two-component signaling system, which regulates genes important for growth under this stress. As part pathway, a biosynthetic enzyme called QueE, catalyzes step in formation queuosine (Q) tRNA...
Summary Signaling networks in bacteria enable sensing and adaptation to challenging environments by activating specific genes that help counteract stressors. Small proteins (≤ 50 amino acids long) are a rising class of bacterial stress response regulators. Escherichia coli encodes over 150 small proteins, most which lack known phenotypes their biological roles remain elusive. Using magnesium limitation as stressor, we investigate induced using ribosome profiling, RNA sequencing,...